Eastern Connecticut State University

Erin Byrnes Klemyk was a player whoseoffensive capabilities transformed the women’s lacrosseprogram into a conference contender. A member of the first fourteams in program history, Byrnes’ move from defense –where she was a two-time team MVP -- to offense late in hersophomore year coincided with the program’s immediatetransformation. As the team’s leading scorer in two seasonsat attack, Byrnes  converted 45 percent of her shots, scoring152 goals in 31 matches for an average of nearly 5.0 per match andleading the Warriors to 24 wins in 31 contests in that two-yearspan. At 5-feet-11, Byrnes enjoyed a substantial reach which helpedaccount for 177 goals in 53 career matches, with 14 of her goals inher final two seasons serving as game-winning ones.   Inthe fifth match of her sophomore year, Byrnes’s offensivecareer began to unfold. After starting the match on close defense,she moved to left attack wing during the game in order to helpEastern win more draws. In that role, she scored her first fivegoals of the season, then contributed at least one goal in theremaining seven matches, including four each in two season-endingvictories. As a junior, the South Windsor native generated nearly30 percent of the team’s offense, recording a currentseason-record 85 goals for a team which established seven currentprogram season records. Byrnes ranked fifth nationally as a juniorand 16^th nationally as a senior in goals.  Shegraduated as the program leader in goals and points in a match,season and career and currently ranks third all-time in careergoals and fourth in points (190) in the program’s 17-yearhistory. Her 85-goal junior season and 67-goal season as a seniorcaptain remain two of  the top four offensive seasons ever.Byrnes also owns four of the top nine marks for goals in a match– those four matches coming in a span of nine games in Aprilof her junior season which fueled the record 13-game win streak.Byrnes represented Eastern as its only All-New EnglandWomen’s Lacrosse Alliance selection in both 1998 and1999.