The Road Back
David Vick — September 22, 2021
The news was shocking and devastating. A Tewaaraton favorite and one of the best players in college lacrosse was done for the season.
The lacrosse world found out about Emily Hawryschuk’s injury on the morning of February 27. The broadcast began for Syracuse’s home opener against Stony Brook and the ‘Cuse star was in street clothes.
Fans were informed that she suffered an injury during practice. That was all anyone outside of the Syracuse program knew.
Injury & Reaction
Emily found out the day before the Stony Brook game that she had torn her ACL. Her season was over after just one game.
“I gave myself 24 hours to feel sorry or sad and then I needed to accept the reality of what was happening,” she said.
What a difference a week makes. Just a week early, Emily scored four goals in a season-opening blowout win over a top five opponent, Loyola.
It was not until March 4 that Emily shared the injury news on her Instagram. When she did, she received an enormous amount of support from teammates, competitors and fans.
“I felt truly blessed. The amount of love, support, good vibes and prayers that I was overwhelmed with was something that I will cherish forever,” said Emily when reflecting on it.
Watching From the Sideline
Emily stayed with her team the entire season and watched the remaining 20 games from the sideline.
As one might expect, this was not easy.
“There were some games that were tougher to watch… However, there wasn’t any time to let those emotions show because I had a job to do and that was to support my teammates,” she said.
She supported her teammates and friends en route to a National Championship appearance. It was the first time the program had reached the game since 2014.
While her team came up short without her, Emily could not be prouder of what the 2021 Syracuse squad was able to accomplish.
“I felt so proud of my teammates – as a team we went through so much adversity during the season and to see them perform on the biggest stage having overcome so much was amazing.”
Not Alone
Being injured and unable to play can sometimes be a lonely position to be in for athletes. Luckily for Emily, she had a fellow teammate by her side, Vanessa Costantino.
Both were undergoing rehab for the same injury.
Costantino was a few steps ahead in the recovery process after being injured during the first week of team practice. This gave Emily someone to look up to during the tough time.
Costantino was one of the few people who saw Emily on the good and bad days during both of their recovery processes.
“We had fun in there and made the most out of a bad situation,” said Costantino. “Even if Emily was having a tough day, she pushed through it.”
Emily also gives praise to her family for helping her through such a low period and for keeping her mental health in a good spot.
“I have had a positive mental health experience through recovery, and I have to give a lot of the credit to my family,” she said.
Getting Back to 100%
It has been about four and a half months since last season ended and seven and a half months since her injury.
In mid-July, Emily was able to run on a treadmill for the first time since the injury occurred, and on September 14, she took part in her first team practice since before the injury.
“I felt like myself again,” said Emily on returning to the field. “There is the battle with finding yourself while going through an injury because something that makes up so much of you and your life, like playing lacrosse, has to go on pause.”
The same sentiment has been shared by athletes across many different sports. Whether it be because of injury or retirement, finding oneself during time away from a sport has proven to be a challenge for many.
This was the hardest part of Emily’s recovery process.
“I think the hardest part was coming to the realization of who I am without being a lacrosse player,” she said. “Before getting hurt I thought lacrosse defined me and made me all that I am, but I needed to understand that I’m still me without being able to play the sport I love.”
The Return
In less than five months college lacrosse will be back, and Emily says she will be ready for the start of the season.
What should fans expect when Emily takes the field again, in what will be her sixth and final collegiate season?
Her former teammate Vanessa Costantino expects a return to dominance for Hawryschuk.
“The only difference between 2021 and 2022 is that she’ll be one year older and one year wiser… 2022 will show how triumphant Emily truly is,” said Costantino.
While the recovery process is not over yet, Hawryschuk is in a good place physically and mentally.
She has returned to the field a different person than when she left it.
“I have a greater understanding for myself and a greater appreciation for the little things in life,” said Emily.