Section V is seeking to identify the all-time best girls lacrosse player in its history. The poll is sponsored by Faber Builders and focuses on athletes who played since the sport's debut in 1995.
Key points
Section V girls lacrosse has a rich history of talent.
The poll seeks to identify the all-time best player.
Candidates must have played since 1995.
College accomplishments are considered for context.
The poll is sponsored by Faber Builders.
In 30 years, Section V girls lacrosse has packed in a lot of talent. But who is the best of the best? That's what we're trying to figure out.
As USA Today Sports sifts through the greatest athletes ever in conjunction with the United States' 250th year, we're taking a more local approach. Among other sports, we ask: Who is the greatest Section V girls lacrosse player of all time?
Those considered must have played after Section V girls lacrosse officially debuted in 1995. While college accomplishments are listed for additional context, the athletes' high school playing days were the lone consideration.
Brighton's Hilary Bowen celebrates a goal against East Rochester in 2005.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Spencerport's Erin Coykendall scoops up a loose ball and heads upfield in a game against Penfield on April 2.
Spencerport's Erin Coykendall, right, puts the ball past Canandaigua goalie Quynn Tallman for a Rangers goal during the Section V Class B Championship played at Pittsford Sutherland High School, Wednesday, May 29, 2019. No. 2 seed Canandaigua claimed the Class B title with a 9-8 overtime win over No. 1 seed Spencerport.
Erin Coykendall competed at Northwestern for five seasons and helped the Wildcats reach two NCAA national title games.
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore takes a shot on goal against Yorktown at SUNY Cortland.
Canandaigua Academy's Taylor D'Amore (7) spots a gap in Victor's defense during a Class B Championship game at Spencerport on Wednesday June 2, 2010.
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore, left, tries to muscle her way past Victor's Amanda Kidder during the Class B girls lacrosse championship between the Canandaigua Braves and the Victor Blue Devils at Spencerport on June 2, 2010.
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore tries to hold off Webster Thomas' Jessie Aguglia during a sectionals match at East Rochester High School.
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend, right, takes a shot for a goal past Rush-Henrietta's Victoria Smith in 2010.
Brighton's Rachel Ballatori, left, is pressured by Canandaigua's Abbey Friend during their game at East Rochester on May 30, 2007.
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend as a member of the North Carolina women's lacrosse team.
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend, left, looks to get a shot off in front of Victor's Tori Mattick during the Class B girls lacrosse championship between the Canandaigua Braves and the Victor Blue Devils at Spencerport High School on June 2, 2010. The Braves routed the Blue Devils, 20-4, for the title. Friend had 4 goals and 3 assists in the game.
Emily Hawryschuk and Syracuse will play either Georgetown or Penn in the second round of the NCAA Division I lacrosse tournament on Sunday.
Churchville-Chili's Emily Hawryschuk, right, winds up for a shot in front of Brockport's Leah Daly for one of her four goals. She also had three assists in Thursday’s victory.
Victor graduate Liz Hogan is a goalie with the U.S. National Women's Team for the world championships in Towson, Md.
Elizabeth Hogan All-Greater Rochester girls lacrosse.
East Rochester's Whitney Michele, right, hugs Raea DiMassimo after an overtime goal against Penfield in 2002.
Pal-Mac sophomore Andra Savage, right, helped lead the Red Raiders to Section V's first Class D title last year. She had 76 goals and 29 assists.
Andra Savage became the all-time leading scorer for Palmyra-Macedon as a sophomore but it's the time she spends wth younger players that will have the biggest impact on the program.
Andra Savage, right, helped Palmyra-Macedon win three straight Section V girls lacrosse titles.
Brighton's Danielle Spencer carries the ball during a game against Corning in 2005.
Danielle Spencer gets past Cicero-North Syracuse Emily Wilson in the 1st half of lacrosse action at Brighton.
Brighton's Danielle Spencer drives to net against Rush Henrietta. Spencer scored several goals.
Northwestern Wildcats midfielder Casey Donohoe celebrates after scoring a goal with teammate Danielle Spencer during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at Lakeside Field.
1 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Brighton's Hilary Bowen celebrates a goal against East Rochester in 2005.
1 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Brighton's Hilary Bowen celebrates a goal against East Rochester in 2005.
2 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Brighton's Hilary Bowen scoops up the ball in front of Penn Yan's K'Leigh Vanaman during an April 2005 game in Brighton.
4 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Spencerport's Erin Coykendall scores during a game against Greece Arcadia/Olympia in 2016.
5 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Spencerport's Erin Coykendall scoops up a loose ball and heads upfield in a game against Penfield on April 2.
6 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Spencerport's Erin Coykendall, right, puts the ball past Canandaigua goalie Quynn Tallman for a Rangers goal during the Section V Class B Championship played at Pittsford Sutherland High School, Wednesday, May 29, 2019. No. 2 seed Canandaigua claimed the Class B title with a 9-8 overtime win over No. 1 seed Spencerport.
7 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Erin Coykendall competed at Northwestern for five seasons and helped the Wildcats reach two NCAA national title games.
8 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore takes a shot on goal against Yorktown at SUNY Cortland.
9 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Canandaigua Academy's Taylor D'Amore (7) spots a gap in Victor's defense during a Class B Championship game at Spencerport on Wednesday June 2, 2010.
10 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore, left, tries to muscle her way past Victor's Amanda Kidder during the Class B girls lacrosse championship between the Canandaigua Braves and the Victor Blue Devils at Spencerport on June 2, 2010.
11 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore tries to hold off Webster Thomas' Jessie Aguglia during a sectionals match at East Rochester High School.
12 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend, right, takes a shot for a goal past Rush-Henrietta's Victoria Smith in 2010.
13 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Brighton's Rachel Ballatori, left, is pressured by Canandaigua's Abbey Friend during their game at East Rochester on May 30, 2007.
14 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend as a member of the North Carolina women's lacrosse team.
15 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend, left, looks to get a shot off in front of Victor's Tori Mattick during the Class B girls lacrosse championship between the Canandaigua Braves and the Victor Blue Devils at Spencerport High School on June 2, 2010. The Braves routed the Blue Devils, 20-4, for the title. Friend had 4 goals and 3 assists in the game.
16 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Emily Hawryschuk and Syracuse will play either Georgetown or Penn in the second round of the NCAA Division I lacrosse tournament on Sunday.
17 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Churchville-Chili's Emily Hawryschuk, right, winds up for a shot in front of Brockport's Leah Daly for one of her four goals. She also had three assists in Thursday’s victory.
18 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Victor graduate Liz Hogan is a goalie with the U.S. National Women's Team for the world championships in Towson, Md.
19 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Elizabeth Hogan All-Greater Rochester girls lacrosse.
20 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
East Rochester's Whitney Michele, right, hugs Raea DiMassimo after an overtime goal against Penfield in 2002.
21 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Pal-Mac sophomore Andra Savage, right, helped lead the Red Raiders to Section V's first Class D title last year. She had 76 goals and 29 assists.
22 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Andra Savage became the all-time leading scorer for Palmyra-Macedon as a sophomore but it's the time she spends wth younger players that will have the biggest impact on the program.
23 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Andra Savage, right, helped Palmyra-Macedon win three straight Section V girls lacrosse titles.
24 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Brighton's Danielle Spencer carries the ball during a game against Corning in 2005.
25 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Danielle Spencer gets past Cicero-North Syracuse Emily Wilson in the 1st half of lacrosse action at Brighton.
26 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Brighton's Danielle Spencer drives to net against Rush Henrietta. Spencer scored several goals.
27 / 27
Photos of Section V's all-time best girls lacrosse players
Northwestern Wildcats midfielder Casey Donohoe celebrates after scoring a goal with teammate Danielle Spencer during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at Lakeside Field.
This list could be dozens deep, but we shortened it to 10 options. See an obvious omission? Let us know.
Hilary Bowen, Brighton
Brighton's Hilary Bowen celebrates a goal against East Rochester in 2005.
Brighton's Hilary Bowen celebrates a goal against East Rochester in 2005.
Bowen was a central figure as Brighton established itself as the preeminent girls lacrosse program in Section V in the 2000s. Elected to the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2017, Bowen was a three-time All-American and two-time Monroe County Player of the Year. She helped Brighton reach consecutive New York state title games, including a win in 2005. After high school, Bowen attended Northwestern where she helped the Wildcats capture four NCAA titles while earning two championship MVPs.
Erin Coykendall, Spencerport
Spencerport's Erin Coykendall scores during a game against Greece Arcadia/Olympia in 2016.
Spencerport's Erin Coykendall scores during a game against Greece Arcadia/Olympia in 2016.
Coykendall, who graduated high school in 2019, still stands as one of the most productive players in New York state history. Her 303 assists are a state record, while she sits second in state history with 638 points. Coykendall was a four-time All-Greater Rochester selection and first team all-state in 2018 (the first year that all-state teams were compiled for girls lacrosse). In college, Coykendall was a leading scorer for the 2023 Northwestern squad that won the NCAA title.
Taylor D'Amore, Canandaigua
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore takes a shot on goal against Yorktown at SUNY Cortland.
Canandaigua's Taylor D'Amore takes a shot on goal against Yorktown at SUNY Cortland.
D'Amore was the first two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year, earning the nod in 2009 and 2010. She finished her varsity career with 251 goals and 231 assists, led Canandaigua to two Section V titles. Despite graduating high school in 2010, D'Amore was named the AGR Player of the Decade for the 2010s when the Democrat and Chronicle assembled its team in 2020. D'Amore played at Johns Hopkins after graduation.
Abbey Friend, Canandaigua
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend, right, takes a shot for a goal past Rush-Henrietta's Victoria Smith in 2010.
Canandaigua's Abbey Friend, right, takes a shot for a goal past Rush-Henrietta's Victoria Smith in 2010.
Another important member of Canandaigua’s back-to-back section title winners, Friend was a two-time All-American selection and three-time All-Greater Rochester selection. In 2020 she was named to the AGR All-Decade team for the 2010s. As a senior, Friend posted 84 goals and 52 assists. Friend attended North Carolina and was a three-time All-ACC first-team pick.
Emily Hawryschuk, Churchville-Chili/Victor
A transfer midway through high school didn’t stop Hawryschuk, who was named to two All-America teams as a junior and senior. The midfielder led Victor to the Class B section title in 2015, scoring 89 goals. She was named MVP of the sectional tournament that spring. Hawryschuk was a three-time All-Greater Rochester selection and was voted to the AGR All-Decade team for the 2010s. Hawryschuk attended Syracuse and graduated as the program’s all-time leader in goals scored (272) and ranks fourth in career points (341).
Elizabeth Hogan, Victor
Victor graduate Liz Hogan is a goalie with the U.S. National Women's Team for the world championships in Towson, Md.
Victor graduate Liz Hogan is a goalie with the U.S. National Women's Team for the world championships in Towson, Md.
A member of the inaugural All-Greater Rochester team in 2007, Hogan was a star goaltender at Victor before the program became an annual powerhouse. She finished her varsity career with 952 saves and a 67% save percentage. Along with numerous Big East accolades, Hogan ranks second in Syracuse history in career saves and owns the program’s single season record in that category. She is one of three players in team history to earn Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Whitney Michele, East Rochester
East Rochester's Whitney Michele, right, hugs Raea DiMassimo after an overtime goal against Penfield in 2002.
East Rochester's Whitney Michele, right, hugs Raea DiMassimo after an overtime goal against Penfield in 2002.
Michele was a three-time All-American and two-time Monroe County Player of the Year for the now-defunct East Rochester program in the 2000s. She played in four consecutive Section V championship games and helped the Bombers reach the state final in 2002 and 2003. Michele attended UConn, where she was one of the program’s all-time leading scorers upon graduation.
Heidi Rothfuss, Penfield
Rothfuss was an original Section V girls lacrosse player, starring for Penfield in the 1990s. She was an All-American in 1997 and named to the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2016. Rothfuss later played at Penn State and enjoyed a successful coaching career in Section V, leading Pittsford to multiple titles.
Andra Savage, Palmyra-Macedon
Pal-Mac's Andra Savage, right, is defended by HF-L's Paige Smith during the Section V Class C Girls Lacrosse Championship played at Pittsford Sutherland High School on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Pal-Mac's Andra Savage, right, is defended by HF-L's Paige Smith during the Section V Class C Girls Lacrosse Championship played at Pittsford Sutherland High School on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
One of only two "small school" players on this initial list, Savage was a scoring fiend for Pal-Mac in the 2010s. Savage finished her varsity career with 288 goals, which ranks 25th all time in state history. If not for the canceled 2020 season, Savage likely would've challenged Section V's all-time goals record. A midfielder, Savage was a three-time All-Greater Rochester selection and was named second team all-state as a junior. She later attended Niagara University, where she tied the MAAC conference's single-season goals record.
Danielle Spencer, Brighton
Brighton's Danielle Spencer carries the ball during a game against Corning in 2005.
Brighton's Danielle Spencer carries the ball during a game against Corning in 2005.
Another crucial member of Brighton's dynasty in the 2000s, Spencer is a 2018 inductee in the Greater Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Spencer was a member of Brighton's state winner in 2005 and state finalist in 2004. In 2006, she was named an All-American. Like many of her peers, Spencer attended Northwestern after high school and was a top offensive player for the Wildcats. Spencer is currently the head coach for Stanford's women's lacrosse team.
