Megan Carney and Meaghan Tyrrell wearing No. 22 and 18 jerseys for a New York lacrosse team whose colors include blue – does that sound familiar?

After a loss to Boston College in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament during their final season together in 2023, Carney and Tyrrell took different paths. Two years later, “The Meg Show” reunited as teammates, this time competing for the New York Charging in the inaugural Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League Championship Series.

Tyrrell and Carney spent five years at Syracuse University, where they racked up a combined total of 746 points (489G, 257A). The forwards carried those numbers into the WLL. Carney (13G, 3A) finished eighth in the Golden Stick Award standings while Tyrrell (6G, 1A) put in her best performance during the Charging's championship game loss to the Boston Guard. 

While the pair only connected for one goal during the series, being part of the same team echoed their collegiate days.

“It’s really awesome to be on the same team again,” Carney said. “We know each other pretty well, like what our tendencies are, and I think that’s helped a lot during the series.”

Knowing each other’s tendencies, such as understanding where each likes to receive the ball so she can fire off a quick shot, helped flatten the learning curve from traditional lacrosse to the Sixes format. Recognizing the right time to push the pace or wait for players to come out of the sub box to settle the attack eased the transition from a collegiate to professional setting, too.

This was the first time Carney and Tyrrell played in a professional league. Both decided to forgo opportunities to join Athletes Unlimited – a summer lacrosse league similar in format to Sixes where players shifted teams each week. 

Neither could pass on the chance to be part of the WLL and play alongside a vast array of talent. 

“Being part of the WLL and seeing all the little girls look up to you is surreal,” Carney said. “I even saw someone wearing a custom No. 22 sweatshirt I had when I was up at Syracuse, which was special.”

The WLL was special in numerous ways, especially adjusting to the different playing style. Carney and Tyrrell admitted that it forced them to not get ahead of themselves, nor let opponents get comfortable in a certain rhythm. 

“You don’t have time to celebrate or else you’re going to get burned in transition,” Tyrrell said. “You’re constantly thinking about the next play and where you need to be.”

This was key to New York’s game plan because head coach Colleen Magarity emphasized numerous times that “everyone is a defender.” 

Carney (5GB, 3CT) in particular enjoyed getting involved on the defensive side. She was able to disrupt passing lanes and force forwards outside of the arc to eliminate scoring threats. Tyrrell had limited reps on the defensive end but found herself halting opponents’ outlets in transition.

While it was an adjustment period, It was also a week full of reunions for the duo. Carney and Tyrrell reconnected with former Syracuse teammates Emily Hawryschuk and Emma Tyrrell, who also played for the Charging. The four of them played together for two seasons in Upstate New York, yet injuries prevented them all from sharing the field.

Carney, Hawryschuk and Emma Tyrrell suffered torn ACLs that ended their seasons prematurely. Their rehabs meant each had to be patient to return to the lacrosse field. Now that they’re all back, the Syracuse alums’ performances for New York showed they never missed a step. Everyone being healthy was something Meaghan Tyrrell missed during college.

“I’m super excited to play with all of the ‘Cuse girls again,” Tyrrell said. “It’s something you can’t take for granted.”