PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse head coach Alex Kahoe has announced the addition of Melissa Semkiw to the Hawks' roster in time for the 2021 season.  A graduate transfer, Semkiw spent the first part of her collegiate career at George Mason.
 
"I am very excited to have transferred to SJU to finish my master's degree and lacrosse career," Semkiw said.  "The opportunity to play and study at a top-rated school was something that I could not pass up.  I can't wait!"
 
"I want to welcome Melissa to Hawk Hill," Kahoe said.  "She is a great goalie with Atlantic 10 experience and has made big saves against highly-ranked opponents.  We are excited to have her join our SJU women's lacrosse family!"
 
Semkiw enjoyed a standout career with the Patriots, including three postseason All-Conference honors.  In 2019, she was named to the All-Conference First Team as she helped lead George Mason to a tie for second in the Atlantic 10 standings.  A year later, she was voted to the league's preseason All-Conference Team.
 
After taking over the starting job in 2017, Semkiw earned Second Team All-Conference and All-Rookie honors as a freshman.  All told, she has been named the league's Defensive Player of the Week five times, including once during the abbreviated 2020 campaign.  She is also a four-time Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection as well.
 
A native of Frederick, Maryland, Semkiw was a standout at Oakdale High School, earning US Lacrosse All-America and Frederick News Post Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior.