Lynch nominated for Tewaaraton Award following a shining final year

When Becky Lynch was a sophomore, she was a part of an offense that was a force to be reckoned with, combining for more than 400 points that season.

But that North Carolina women’s lacrosse team was led by Corey Donohoe.

Even as an underclassman, Lynch’s stats compared nicely with those of the junior All-American. But because of the exploits of her elders, she didn’t get as much hype.

For Lynch, that wasn’t a problem.

“She was never over-focused on her stats,” coach Jenny Levy said. “She let the game come to her. She never goes in saying ‘I’ve got to get my assists’ or ‘If I don’t get five goals I’m not going to be an All-American or be nominated for a Tewaaraton.’”

Despite — or perhaps because of — that mindset, she eventually was.

Last month, the Long Island senior was chosen as one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, women’s lacrosse’s most prestigious individual trophy.

Though Maryland midfielder Katie Schwarzmann won the award, Lynch said she was honored to have been a nominee.

As a senior, Lynch was third on the team in scoring with 42 goals and tied for the team lead in assists. But her stats only hint at what a linchpin Lynch has been.

When Levy’s staff began recruiting Lynch, they noticed she led her high school’s basketball team in rebounding.

“That’s a gritty thing, you know,” Levy said. “That’s someone who’s willing to go in, get the ball and be physical.”

At UNC, Lynch proved that she was willing to do anything for her team. In high school, she had been a midfielder. Levy almost immediately switched her to attack.

From there, Lynch proved to be an effective goal-scorer, though her midfielder background and team-first nature didn’t desert her. Her junior season, Lynch etched the proof into the record books with 36 assists, breaking the team’s season record.

“I’m more of a player that plays my hardest, and doesn’t really think about stats,” Lynch said. “If I have goals, great. If not, as long as other people on my team have goals, I’m happy.”

Teammates have said that the lacrosse team is a family. For Lynch, that feeling defined her career.

Her father, Jeff Lynch, played lacrosse at UNC, and as a recruit attending the team’s lacrosse camp, she knew that the place was in her blood.

As a senior for the Tar Heels, she became the family’s matriarch. After Donohoe graduated, the spotlight finally fell upon Lynch, revealing that she’d been patiently prepared to lead all along.

But even when asked questions directly concerning her contributions, Lynch prefers to discuss what the team did for her.

“I appreciate how important it is to have relationships on the field or off the field because looking back, that’s what you really remember,” she said. “It’s great being able to look back at Carolina and realize how many people really touched my life and how many people I’ve really had an influence on.”

For Lynch, her influence is a gift she’d like to keep giving. Like Donohoe, who is an assistant coach at Navy, Lynch too is headed into coaching. Lynch is excited by the prospect of coaching but also sees a future for herself as a teacher. Levy said she’s a natural at both.

With a psychology degree, Lynch will move to England in the fall. There, she’ll work as a lacrosse coach and teaching assistant at a high school in Bedford, just north of London.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.