Grace O'Connor

Position:
Defense
Height:
5-10
Class:
Sophomore
High School:
Lower Merion
Hometown:
Narberth, Pa.

2024: Played in seven games during her first campaign with the Orange as a reserve back/midfielder … made her Syracuse debut against No. 14 Ohio State (Sept. 8) at J.S. Coyne Stadium … played in a season-high 19 minutes at Bucknell (Oct. 24).

Prior to Syracuse: Played in 16 games as a midfielder for Drexel University in her freshman season … started in two games, once against Queens (Sept. 3) and again at Wagner (Oct. 1) … made her collegiate debut against Bucknell (Aug. 25) … finished her rookie season with two points, both assists … added one helper at App State (Sept. 1) and the following game at Queens … backed the Dragons to a 14-6 season in 2023, including a 4-2 mark in CAA play and a berth in the league semifinals.

Personal: Daughter of Melissa and Will … has three siblings: Matthew, Sage, and Claire … played with Sage at Drexel for one season … family has deep college athletics ties in the greater Philadelphia area: grandmother Anne Sage was involved with field hockey and women’s lacrosse at both Temple and Penn, grandfather Howard Sage wrestled and played football at West Chester, mother Melissa played field hockey and women’s lacrosse at Penn, father Will rowed at Penn, brother Matthew played football at Villanova while Sage is currently on the field hockey team at Drexel … played high school field hockey at Lower Merion High School for head coach Kylie Kelce racked 34 goals in her season season for the Aces while serving as a team captain that year … O’Connor was a two-time All-Main Line selection and a three-time First Team All-Central League pick … also competed in lacrosse and track & field at Lower Merion … played club field hockey for Mayhem-Main Line Field Hockey Club … most admires her grandmother, Anne Sage, who coached at Penn and helped advocate for women’s sports … favorite athlete is tennis legend Serena Williams … chose Syracuse for its amazing field hockey program combined with great academics … plans to major in business management in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.