Ryan O'Connell

Position:
Midfielder
Height:
6-1
Weight:
190
Class:
Graduate Student
Hometown:
New Canaan, Conn.
High School:
New Canaan

2022 (Graduate): Saw action in 13 games and started seven • Scored two goals and dished out an assists in the season opener versus Richmond (2/11) • Notched a goal in three straight games against Brown (2/23), Johns Hopkins (2/27), and Denver (3/5)

2021 (Senior): Played in 11 games with seven goals, one assist, and seven ground balls • Scored a career-high three goals in the season opener versus Denver • Earned a goal and an assist at Richmond • Scored two goals and picked up two ground balls in the NCAA Tournament game versus Monmouth • Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll

2020 (Junior): Saw game action in each of the Tar Heels’ seven contests • Scored his first goal and picked up his first ground ball of the season versus Mercer • Tallied two ground balls against Lafayette, one at Denver and two against Bryant • Caused a turnover at Denver • Remainder of season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic • Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll • Tar Heel Scholar-Athlete for the spring and fall semesters of 2019.

2019 (Sophomore): Appeared in eight games and went 25 of 49 on face-off draws, picked up 21 ground balls and had one assist on the season • Won at least four draws in six of the seven games he appeared on the face-off • Had three-straight games with three ground balls – versus Marist, at Maryland and versus Duke • Also had an assist against Duke • Added two ground balls while taking a season-high 13 draws at the X at Virginia • Won a season-high five face-offs against Syracuse, going five for seven with four ground balls and his only shot of the season • Matched his season-high four ground balls against Syracuse in the in the ACC tournament first round • Added two ground balls in the ACC semifinal against Virginia • Named to the 2018-19 ACC Academic Honor Roll.

2018 (Freshman): Played in eight games in his first college campaign • Scored goals against Maryland and Virginia • Had nine ground balls, including six against Richmond and two versus Syracuse • Filled in as a face-off specialist, going 15 of 43 on his draws • Went nine for 17 at the X against Richmond • Took nine draws against Syracuse, winning five • Started in face-off X against Notre Dame.

Prep: Graduated from New Canaan High School where he played for coach Chip Buzzeo • 2017 Under Armour All-America Team selection • No. 15-ranked Inside Lacrosse recruit • Under Armour All-America • Three-time first-team All-State honoree • Captured first-team All-FCIAC in the county on three occasions • Ended his career as New Canaan High School’s career point leader • Led his high school to three state championships in lacrosse and four state titles in football • On the football field, he was the school’s career interceptions leader • Captained both football and lacrosse teams • A three-time high honor roll student at New Canaan • 11-time quarterly system honor roll selection • Raised money with a Build-On chapter to build a school in Nicaragua • Participated in Secret Santa Christmas present charity events • Played for Eclipse Lacrosse Club all through high school where he was coached by Jamie Hanford • Attended Maverik Showtime twice where he was chosen for All-Star Team.

Personal: Ryan Patrick O’Connell is the son of Robin and Patrick O’Connell • Born December 12 in Chicago, Ill. • Has three younger siblings –– one brother, Quintin, and two sisters, Courtney and Katherine • His brother is a freshman on the UNC lacrosse team • Majoring in media and journalism with a focus in advertising and public relations.