Among the 45 student-athletes on the 2024 Stony Brook women's lacrosse roster, six student-athletes return to the Seawolves' lineup as graduate students, set to play their fifth years of college lacrosse.
 
The six returning fifth years are Jolie Creo, Kailyn Hart, Morgan Mitchell, Erin MacQuarrie, McKenzie Mitchell and Charlotte Verhulst.
 
Combined, these student-athletes have combined to play 257 games and make 186 starts for Stony Brook from 2020-2023, where Stony Brook has totaled a 51-11 record, won five NCAA Championship games in three tournament appearances, and tallied two conference championships to go with an undefeated conference regular season record.
 
Five of these student-athletes were part of the 2020 team which defeated then-No. 4 Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome, with Hart and Verhulst starting that game. Hart scored her first two collegiate goals in that 2020 victory.
 
The program's ambitious goals, continued success on the field, and a connected culture among coaches and student-athletes were among the many reasons that the six graduated student-athletes chose to return to Stony Brook for a fifth season.
 
"I could not be happier that these student-athletes have chosen to come back," said head coach Joe Spallina. "These are some of the most dedicated players that have ever played here and to have the chance to coach them one more year is as good as it gets in the profession. Besides being incredible players, they are also world class people, and they embody everything we have ever envisioned a Stony Brook women's lacrosse player to be. This is going to be a special season and a lot of that has to do with this group."
 
#7 Jolie Creo – Attacker
 
After transferring from Holy Cross following the 2022 season, Creo appeared in all 19 games for the Seawolves in 2023 with 17 starts. She put up 13 goals and 26 assists in her first season on the Island, shooting 52.0% and putting 84.0% of her shots on goal. This included an eight-assist performance at Towson on April 22.
 
"After losing two seasons of my college lacrosse career due to COVID, I wanted nothing more than to make up for lost time. My choice to return to Stony Brook and use my extra year of eligibility was an easy one because of such an amazing team who has helped set me up for success and made me feel welcomed from the moment I've started here. I cannot wait to finish out my lacrosse career alongside this team as we take over the CAA for another championship run!," said Creo
 
#14 Kailyn Hart – Attacker
 
Hart picked up her first All-American honors in 2023, with honorable mention selections from ILWomen and USA Lacrosse Magazine. She finished second in the CAA with 55 goals and 78 points last season. She put up 14 hat tricks during the season, including in Stony Brook's last 10 games. She brings 157 goals and 53 assists with her into the 2024 season.
 
"Having an additional year to play lacrosse at Stony Brook means so much to me," Hart said. "I have invested so much of my life to this sport and I'm grateful for having the opportunity to continue to play at the collegiate level with the best coaching staff and teammates. This group has an unbreakable bond on and off the field that I will cherish forever. We have a goal to go further than ever before, and I can't wait for everyone to see what this team will achieve this season."
 
#15 Morgan Mitchell – Attacker
 
A 2023 Second Team All-CAA pick, Mitchell started in all 19 games for the Seawolves, ranking top five in the league with 43 goals. She put up a career performance in a nationally televised game at Syracuse last year with seven goals on nine shots. Mitchell has played in 53 career games and started 33 for the Seawolves, putting away 59 goals and dishing 30 assists in that stretch.
 
"Choosing to return for my fifth season was one of the easiest decisions I have made," Mitchell said. "I wasn't prepared to walk away from the team that has become family and give up the game I love. We are focused on doing something this program has never done and have some unfinished business."
 
#20 – Erin MacQuarrie – Midfielder
 
Taking on a starting midfield role as a senior, MacQuarrie contributed on both ends of the field with 10 goals and eight assists, while picking up 24 ground balls and causing 11 turnovers. She scored in nine different games in 2023. In 51 career games including 22 starts, the Babylon native has put away 16 goals, added 18 assists, scooped 34 ground balls, and caused 14 turnovers.
 
"Being able to have the opportunity to take my fifth year is so special to me," MacQuarrie said. "As a student-athlete on the women's lacrosse team, my coaches and teammates have given me the best support system and allowed me to grow as not just a player but a person. When given the opportunity to spend more time with this group and achieve new things together, it was such an easy decision to return. I can't wait to keep having fun with everyone this year on and off the field!"
 
#22 – McKenzie Mitchell – Defender
 
Displaying high energy that can be seen up and down the roster, Mitchell made a career-high seven appearances in 2023. The Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. native has made 13 career appearances and one career start, recording a ground ball and a caused turnover in last year's CAA championship game against Towson.
 
"I decided to come back to Stony Brook because being given the opportunity to be a part of this program for one more year was something I could not give up. Stony Brook is a home away from home and the relationships I have made here will last a lifetime, said Mitchell."
 
#86 – Charlotte Verhulst – Midfielder
 
Starting since her freshman year and contributing on offense, defense, and in the draw circle, Verhulst has contributed 178 draw controls over her time at Stony Brook, as the Seawolves have won the majority of draws in each of Verhulst's seasons, and ranked ninth in the country by winning 58.4% of its draws in 2023. Last season, Verhulst enjoyed career highs in goals (25), assists (9), ground balls (20) and caused turnovers (11) as a senior.
 
"I'm very excited to be back, and I made this decision based on the people that surround me every day," Verhulst said. "My coaches, my teammates, and my best friends are all the reason I made the decision to come back and finish what we all started five years ago. I am grateful enough to be a part of something special here and I know that we will finish this season by doing something special. We all play for each other and I think that's our superpower as a team."
 
Combined with UMass transfer Alex Finn, Binghamton transfer Emily Manning, and Ithaca College transfer Rachel Rosenberg, Stony Brook will feature nine graduate students on its roster for the 2024 season.
 
Stony Brook captured its first women's lacrosse CAA Championship in 2023 and made its 10th straight trip to the NCAA Championship, reaching the second round with a 15-4 overall record.

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