Izzy Scane found a way, but she hasn’t done it alone.
Many players and programs have struggled to perform to their expectations in 2021. The lacrosse world was turned on its head in 2020, and the uncertainty and weirdness of everything since has affected many in lacrosse. It was difficult to determine which programs and players would succeed through all the adversity of the last year.
Northwestern’s Izzy Scane hasn’t missed a step.
Izzy Scane’s 2021 season will certainly not be forgotten for a long time. The Northwestern junior currently has 99 points in 13 games and is averaging 7.62 points per game. She leads the nation in points, goals, and goals per game. She has was instrumental in the Wildcats earning a 13-0 record and a Big Ten title, with aims to compete for a national championship in just a few weeks. Scane was named the Big Ten Tournament MVP, scoring nine of Northwestern’s 17 goals in its victory over Maryland in the championship game.
It’s fascinating that Scane has been able to put up video game numbers, especially coming off of a shortened sophomore season. Scane said she and her entire team changed their attitude for 2021 after the pandemic ended the 2020 season.
“The pandemic has definitely brought a new mindset for our team to just appreciate every single moment we are able to do what we love and to work as hard as we can, because you never know what lies ahead,” she said.
The pandemic certainly didn’t slow down Scane’s love for the game. She had a phenomenal career at Cranbrook-Kingswood High School, where she became the state record holder for career points. The transition to Division I lacrosse is tough, but Scane was mentally and physically ready for the competition.
“The competition is higher, the game is so much more physical and faster paced with higher stakes than in high school,” Scane explained. “Every single player was one of the best players on their high school teams before they got to college where everyone is that good. It was a little difficult, but I just tried to play with as much physicality and confidence as I could, and my coaches and teammates helped a lot with the transition.”
Scane’s journey certainly couldn’t have happened on her own. She had many people to credit for her successful career.
“A huge thing that has helped me in my lacrosse career is my amazing family,” she said. “They support me and believe in me more than anyone, and that has gotten me so far in my confidence and being able to become the player I am. Without them, I would be nowhere close to where I am today.”
Scane currently is one of the frontrunners to win the Tewaaraton. To even be in consideration for this award has meant the world to Scane as she admires her teammates and those who have come before her.
“There were so many players I grew up admiring and looking up to who were either in the running for the Tewaaraton or won it,” Scane explained. “It has been such an honor to even be part of the conversation around this award and be surrounded by so many other amazing players. It means the world to be considered for something like this as a result of so many amazing girls on my team that I play and with everyday. They do so much to make me a better player every day and have the opportunities I do on the field. Being considered for this award means so much more, because of my amazing teammates’ hard work.”
It will be exciting to see this explosive Northwestern team enter the NCAA Tournament in a few weeks to see if Izzy Scane can still perform when it matters most. She has been a force to be reckoned with all season while remaining humble and thankful for those around her. Her time at Northwestern has certainly been one to remember, but she still has time to cement her legacy as one of the best players to ever play the game.
