The final four in Stony Brook, N.Y., begins Friday when No. 4 seed Syracuse takes on No. 1 seed Florida. No. 2 Northwestern and No. 3 Maryland will square off in the second matchup. The semifinals not only boasts the top four teams in the nation, but also four of the nation’s top five players.

Each remaining team features one of the five Tewaaraton Trophy finalists, who will try to make a final case for winning the award. Only Becky Lynch of North Carolina has been eliminated from postseason contention. Michelle Tumolo and Syracuse defeated the Tar Heels in the quarterfinals last weekend.

Here’s a look at the four candidates competing this weekend and their standout seasons:

Michelle Tumolo, Syracuse, attack

Tumolo has arguably the best chance of any Syracuse player in the program’s history to win the Tewaaraton Trophy. The Big East Offensive Player of the Year scored 43 goals to go along with a team-leading 40 assists during the regular season. The attack is the Orange’s second Tewaaraton finalist, joining Katie Rowan in 2008.

As SU’s offense slumped down the stretch and scored just 14 goals during two Big East tournament games, Tumolo slumped as well. The junior scored just three goals and only tallied one assist during the two games. But on Saturday against No. 5 seed North Carolina with Syracuse’s season on the line, Tumolo turned in perhaps the most impressive individual performance of any player this season.

With the Orange trailing the Tar Heels 16-15 in the final minute of regulation, Tumolo set up in her usual position behind the opposing net. The junior found fellow attack Kailah Kempney wide-open on the crease for the game-tying goal with 39 seconds remaining. And just 34 seconds later, Tumolo scored her fourth goal of the game to send SU to the final four.

‘I had an opportunity to watch their game against North Carolina, and they refuse to lose,’ Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary said during a teleconference on Monday. ‘They find a way to win. I watched Michelle’s incredible goal with five seconds left. You want to talk about an offensive powerhouse … that’s a team to be reckoned with.’

Brittany Dashiell, Florida, midfielder

In just three seasons of the program’s existence, Florida has become a national power. The Gators rose to No. 1 in the nation and earned their first No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament this year.

And Dashiell was recognized as the program’s first-ever Tewaaraton finalist.

The junior midfielder paced UF with 23 goals and finished third on the team in points with 59. She also gathered 27 ground balls and 42 draw controls, both second on the team.

Dashiell, of Bel Air, Md., is one of 13 players from Maryland on the UF roster as head coach Amanda O’Leary has made the state her personal recruiting stomping grounds.

‘They provide the bulk of our program,’ O’Leary said during the teleconference Monday. ‘When I hit the road recruiting it was one of the first places I went to because it has such a strong tradition of having great lacrosse players, that Baltimore area. … It’s fun to watch them have the opportunity to watch them come down here and develop.’

Dashiell has keyed the program’s development and will have a chance to make more history for Florida this weekend.

Katie Schwarzmann, Maryland, midfielder

Schwarzmann was an absolute scoring machine for Maryland this season. The midfielder’s 63 goals are the third-most in the nation and the most of any finalist.

Like Florida’s Dashiell, Schwarzmann is a complete player. The junior’s 29 ground balls and 40 draw controls were the second most for the No. 3 Terrapins.

Schwarzmann has been at her best this season during the Terrapins’ biggest games. The midfielder set an Atlantic Coast Conference tournament record by scoring 11 goals en route to winning the ACC championship and ACC tournament MVP.

What was perhaps most impressive about her ACC tournament performance, though, was the way she adjusted throughout the season.

Maryland found itself a rare underdog in the ACC tournament semifinals against Duke after losing to the Blue Devils 10-9 during the regular season. In the ACC tournament, the Terrapins routed Duke 12-3, and Schwarzmann scored four goals.

Taylor Thornton, Northwestern, midfielder

Even with reigning Tewaaraton Trophy-winner Shannon Smith still on the roster, Thornton became the star for Northwestern under head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller this season.

After being named the 2011 IWLCA Division I Defensive Player of the Year, the midfielder is leading the No. 2 Wildcats with 44 ground balls and a career-high 27 goals.

‘(I) have had a chance to watch her play throughout the season occasionally and she’s someone that’s super fun to watch,’ Maryland head coach Cathy Reese said during the teleconference. ‘(Hiller’s) done a great job with players playing defense and moving to the midfield and just contributing on both ends of the field there.

‘And she’s just an outstanding athlete, and I think that’s what sets her apart.’

Thornton has the opportunity to become Northwestern’s sixth Tewaaraton winner – a feat unmatched by any other program – and the fourth different Wildcat to earn the honor.

dbwilson@syr.edu