Liberty League announces women's lacrosse awards; Vakiener repeats as Player of the Year
The Liberty League has announced its 2013 All-Liberty League awards for women's lacrosse. The major award winners and all-league teams are listed below.
2013 Liberty League Women’s Lacrosse Awards
Player of the Year: Shelby Vakiener, Sr., Midfielder, Rochester Institute of Technology
A two-time Player of the Year selection, Shelby Vakiener finished her senior season at RIT as the all-time leader in points (351), goals (248) and assists (103). During the 2013 season, Vakiener totaled 68 goals and 24 assists for 92 points, with 47 of her points coming in nine league contests. A four-time offensive performer of the week selection, she led RIT in nearly every offensive category and was the league-leader in goals per game (4.53), points per game (6.13) and shots per game (9.07). She also finished tied with a league best five game-winning goals.
Defensive Player of the Year: Allie Arnal, Sr., Goalie, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Arnal, a repeat Defensive Player of the Year selection, backstopped the Engineers to their second consecutive regular season championship. A three-time defensive performer of the week selection, Arnal finished the regular season leading the league in both goals against average (7.55) and save percentage (.543) overall. She also led in both categories with 7.46 goals against average and .546 save percentage through nine league contests. Heading in to the last week of the season, Arnal was ranked second in the nation in save percentage.
Rookie of the Year: Christine Wright, Fr., Midfielder, Clarkson University
Wright was a four-time rookie of the week selection in 2013 and led Clarkson in total assists (22), draw controls (68) and free position goals (11). She was second on her team in both the total points (72) and ground ball (39) categories and third in goals (50). Additionally, Wright ranked within the top five among league leaders in assists per game (1.38), points per game (4.50) and draw controls per game (4.25).
Coaching Staff of the Year: Judy Finerghty, Vassar College
Finerghty and her staff guided the Brewers to a 12-3 overall record in 2013, 6-3 in the Liberty League, and the program’s first postseason appearance since 2007. Finerghty’s six conference victories set a school record, while the 12 wins overall tied a Vassar record set in 1997. Twelve of her student-athletes were named to the Liberty League All-Academic team, while two were selected for weekly honors.
FIRST TEAM
A- Brigid Hurley, St. Lawrence, Sr.
A- Alyssa Cristaldi, Clarkson, Sr.
A- Katie Sipple, William Smith, So.
M- Shelby Vakiener, RIT, Sr. *
M- Shannon Maguire, RPI, Sr.
M- Emily McGrail, Union, So.
M- Katie VanDeValk, Clarkson, Sr.
M- Kathleen Ragan, William Smith, Sr.
D- Tasha Cornell-Roberts, St. Lawrence, Jr.
D- Jacqueline Palma, Vassar, So.
D- Rachel Hughes, William Smith, So.
G- Allie Arnal, RPI, Sr. *
*denotes unanimous selection
SECOND TEAM
A- Rachel Scofield, RPI, Jr.
A- Dara Davis, Vassar, So.
A- Sage Sarkis, RIT, Fr.
M- Holly Noyes, St. Lawrence, Sr.
M- Christine Wright, Clarkson, Fr.
M- Alissa Peterson, RPI, Sr.
M- Joanna Regan, Bard, So.
M- Phoebe Tzannes, Vassar, Jr.
D- Miceala DeSimone, Union, Jr.
D- Megan Henriksen, RIT, Sr.
D- Cat Gorman, William Smith, So.
G- Adden Cunningham, St. Lawrence, So.
HONORABLE MENTION
Caroline Bowne, D (SKD); Heather Fraser, M (UNI); Isabelle Goldstein, A (VAS); Anna Gubbins, D (SKD); Elizabeth Kilbridge, D (ROC); Michaela Maybee, M (SLU); Lexi Melville, A (SKD); Spencer Morgan, M (SKD); Jeannette Pendergast, D (CLK); Marissa Reilly, M (VAS); Regina Rogers, D (SLU); Elisabeth Watson, M (ROC)