Senior Alyssa Gorny of the University of Rochester lacrosse team is the recipient of the 2026 Merle Spurrier Award that was presented at the annual University of Rochester Athletics and Recreation Awards Banquet on Monday, May 4.
 
This award originated in 1961 to give recognition to the senior woman who has made the most outstanding contribution to women's sports by demonstrating such qualities as leadership, enthusiasm and service in her four years at the University.
 
On the field, Gorny will go down as one of the best players in URochester lacrosse history. She currently holds nine career records and eight single-season records, many of which were set during the 2026 campaign. These records include most points, goals, game-winning goals, draw controls and games played. For her career, the Ellicott City, Maryland native compiled 219 goals, 69 assists, 288 points, 455 shots, 12 game-winning goals, 222 draw controls, 89 ground balls and 63 caused turnovers in 70 all-time games.
 
Additionally, Gorny helped the team to one of the best seasons in program history in 2026, with the Yellowjackets finishing at 12-6 overall. The team secured the most conference wins in a single-season in program history and hosted, and won, a Liberty League tournament game for the first time.
 
Gorny has also been heavily awarded for her performance on the field throughout her time at Rochester, being a 4-time All-Liberty League selection. She was recently named the 2026 Liberty League Attacker of the Year and First Team All-Conference for the first time. She also was a 2-time Second Team All-Liberty League award winner and was Honorable Mention All-Conference as a first-year.
 
Academically, her résumé includes several other honors, including being a 2-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recipient and 3-time Liberty League All-Academic winner. She was an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Academic selection and also was a multiple-time Dean's List honoree at the University, while being elected to Phi Beta Kappa this spring.
 
Gorny will earn her degree from the University in Economics and Russian.
 
Merle Spurrier served in the Department of Physical Education for 30 years and rose to Director of the women's program. She oversaw activities in 10 sports.