Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

One of the very best goalies in William Smith lacrosse history, Sarah Daniels O’Connor ‘95 was a three-year starter, playing in the national championship game in each of those seasons. She graduated as the Heron career record holder for saves and wins. In 54 career appearances, Daniels O’Connor was 47-4 with 658 saves, a .605 save percentage and an 8.51 GAA.

Her place in the William Smith records book was not limited to the career saves and wins marks. By the end of her senior season, Daniels O’Connor held the top three spots on the single season wins list, three of the top four spots on the single season saves list, three of the top 10 spots on the single season save percentage list and two of the top five spots on the single season GAA list. Her 263 saves in 1994 remain the program’s gold standard while her 16 wins in both 1994 and 1995 were not eclipsed until 2017.

By the end of her career, Daniels O’Connor had stopped the fourth most shots in NCAA history, recorded the third most saves in a season in NCAA history, and posted the most saves in a NCAA tournament when she denied 59 attempts in 1994.

The last line of defense for the most successful class in program history, Daniels O’Connor and her classmates were 62-5, winning four consecutive New York State championships. As a starter, she was a perfect 20-0 at home and, in fact, never lost a game in New York State, winning all 37 games in the Empire State.

Highly decorated, Daniels O’Connor was named a second team All-American and earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 1995. She was a two-time all-region and all-state selection.

An exceptional scholar as well, Daniels O’Connor graduated cum laude with a degree in psychology. She was a Helen Health Scholar, an IWLCA All-Academic Squad selection and received an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She went on to earn a master’s in clinical psychology from NYU.

A loyal and dedicated William Smith alumna, Daniels O’Connor served on the Heron Society Board of Directors for a number of years and is presently an honorary member of the board.

Daniels O’Connor also remains active in the lacrosse world, serving both as a coach and in an advisory role. For over a decade, she has coached for Greenwich Youth Lacrosse and recently became a head coach for the CT Grizzlies.