University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Emily Nalls Lands On Tewaaraton Award Nominee List
April 20, 2023 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – University of North Carolina women's lacrosse defender Emily Nalls has been named to the 25-player nominee list for the 2023 Tewaaraton Award, as announced by the Tewaaraton Foundation on Thursday afternoon.
The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are made up of premier collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by the Tewaaraton Foundation.
Nalls found herself on the initial Tewaaraton Award Watch List on Feb. 10. The field has now been narrowed to 25 nominees, with five finalists announced from this group in early May. The winner will be selected on June 1.
A native of Glenwood, Maryland, Nalls leads the team with 18 caused turnovers, also ranking second with 16 ground balls and fourth with 31 draw controls. The defender even tallied a goal against Virginia on March 11.
The senior leads one of the country's top defensive units, as the Tar Heels rank first in the Atlantic Coast Conference and seventh nationally for limiting opponents to just 8.36 goals per game.
Nalls, who has started every game during her college career, was named Second Team All-America and All-South Region First Team after the Tar Heels' undefeated national championship season in 2022. She was named preseason First Team All-America this year.
She also owns the program record for most ground balls in a single contest with 10 against High Point on March 23, 2022.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are made up of premier collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by the Tewaaraton Foundation.
Nalls found herself on the initial Tewaaraton Award Watch List on Feb. 10. The field has now been narrowed to 25 nominees, with five finalists announced from this group in early May. The winner will be selected on June 1.
A native of Glenwood, Maryland, Nalls leads the team with 18 caused turnovers, also ranking second with 16 ground balls and fourth with 31 draw controls. The defender even tallied a goal against Virginia on March 11.
The senior leads one of the country's top defensive units, as the Tar Heels rank first in the Atlantic Coast Conference and seventh nationally for limiting opponents to just 8.36 goals per game.
Nalls, who has started every game during her college career, was named Second Team All-America and All-South Region First Team after the Tar Heels' undefeated national championship season in 2022. She was named preseason First Team All-America this year.
She also owns the program record for most ground balls in a single contest with 10 against High Point on March 23, 2022.
Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's LacrosseTar Heels in the Community pres. by NC Electric Co-ops - Share Your Holiday 2025 - December 18, 2025
Friday, December 19
WBB: Post-UNCW Press Conference - Dec. 17, 2025
Thursday, December 18
UNC Women's Basketball: Brooks, Toomey Blow Heels Past UNCW, 84-34
Thursday, December 18
Blue Heaven: 2025 UNC Field Hockey, Episode 5
Wednesday, December 17