Four Liberty League female student-athletes representing two conference sports have been recognized by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) by garnering Academic All-America® honors for the Women's At-Large Teams.
A pair from Ithaca College—senior Macy Brandwein and junior Caroline Wise were tabbed second-team Academic All-America® honorees along with University of Rochester senior Lucy Haggerty. William Smith sophomore Maura Smeader rounded out the quartet by earning a spot on the third team.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.50, and have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their current institution. Nominees are voted on by CSC members.
CSC began its Academic All-America® program in 1952 and the organization has honored more than 38,000 deserving student-athletes from numerous sports across all divisions. Currently, CSC sponsors Academic All-America® programs for 14 sports. The Women's At-Large teams are comprised of athletes from 12 different Division III sports – bowling, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.
CSC Academic All-America Women's At-Large Second Team
Macy Brandwein, Ithaca (Field Hockey)
Brandwein, a physical therapy major with a 3.89 grade point average and the Ithaca field hockey team's goalkeeper concluded her career as a Bomber with a 25-9 overall record. In 2022, she compiled an overall record of 14-4 with a .840 save percentage and 0.68 goals-against average. Brandwein was also named NFHCA Second Team All-American.
Lucy Haggerty, Rochester (Lacrosse)
Haggerty was a three-year starter for the Yellowjackets, appearing in and starting 41 games, tallying 38 goals, and handing out 72 assists for 110 points. She also totaled 70 draw controls, 29 ground balls, six caused turnovers, and five game-winning goals. This season, Haggerty started 16 of 17 games, scoring 24 goals and a team-high 34 assists, the second-most assists in a season in program history. She also had 16 draw controls, 14 ground balls, and three caused turnovers.
Caroline Wise, Ithaca (Lacrosse)
Wise, a junior biochemistry major with a 3.95 GPA, was a USA Lacrosse Magazine First Team All-American following the 2023 campaign. A draw control specialist, she finished the year ranked fifth in Division III in draw controls per game (9.6) and was second overall in wins (192). Wise is currently Ithaca's single-season and career record holder in draws. This season, she netted 43 goals and handed out 22 assists for 65 points. Wise also picked up 30 ground balls and caused 19 turnovers.
CSC Academic All-America Women's At-Large Third Team
Maura Smeader, William Smith (Lacrosse)
A history major with a 4.00 grade point average, Smeader started 21 games this season, posting a 20-1 overall record while guiding the William Smith lacrosse team to the national semifinals. She was sixth in the nation with a 6.90 goals against average and was 33rd in Division III with a .500 save percentage. Smeader's 20 wins this season matched the William Smith single-season record. Following the season, Smeader was named a third-team All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine.