Liberty League unveils 2024 Women's Lacrosse Awards

Following a vote by the conference's 11 head coaches, the Liberty League has announced the 2024 Women's Lacrosse Major Awards and All-League teams.
 
Offensive Player of the Year: Maddie Montgomery, Senior, Midfielder, William Smith College
 
William Smith College senior midfielder Maddie Montgomery was selected as the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight year. It is the third consecutive year a player from the Herons has won the accolade. A starter in all 20 games this season, Montgomery paces the Herons offensively with 70 goals and 84 points while leading the team in caused turnovers (36). She is also second on the team in assists (11) and draw controls (66). In three games of the Liberty League tournament, she tallied 12 points on 11 goals and one assist to go along with 12 caused turnovers, 11 ground balls, and 10 draw controls. Among league leaders this season, the three-time Liberty League Offensive Player of the Week selection, is first in shots per game (7.65), third in goals per game (3.50), fifth in points per game (4.20) and fourth in caused turnovers per game (1.80). She was also named to the Tewaaraton Watch List earlier this season. Montgomery is the third Heron in program history to have three 50-plus goal seasons. She is William Smith’s career record holder for goals with 273 and draw controls with 312. She is also second in career points (333), ninth in career assists (60) and ninth in career caused turnovers (76). Montgomery’s 273 goals are fourth among active players in Division III.
 
Defensive Player of the Year: Liv Kazanjian, Senior, Goalie, Skidmore College
 
Skidmore College senior goalie Liv Kazanjian was named the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year. It’s the first time since 2017 a goalie has been recognized with the honor. In 15 games (14 starts) this year, she compiled a 9-5 overall record and helped the Thoroughbreds earn the fourth seed of the Liberty League Championship. She was recognized as the Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week twice this season. Kazanjian finished the year with a league-best .522 save percentage while ranking third in saves per game (8.75), and fourth in goals against average (9.37). In Division III, she is sixth in save percentage and among the top 50 in goals against average (44th).
 
Rookie of the Year: Gillian Joseph, Attack, Union College
 
Union College first-year attack Gillian Joseph was recognized as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. It is the first time a Union player has earned the honor since 2012. Joseph was tops among all Liberty League rookies in goals (46) and points (52) this season while ranking eighth in the conference overall in goals and ninth in goals per game (2.71). The four-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week scored at least one goal in 15-of-17 games and had at least three goals in 11-of-17 outings. She recorded at least two points in all but three games (14-of-17). In league play, she netted at least three goals in 8-of-10 games.
 
Coaching Staff of the Year: Ithaca College – Karrie Moore, Head Coach; Assistant Coach Madison Mulligan
 
Ithaca College head coach Karrie Moore and her assistant coach Madison Mulligan were named the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. They directed the Bombers to a 17-1 overall record and an unblemished 10-0 mark in conference play through the regular season and Liberty League tournament. Ithaca won the program’s first Liberty League title since joining the conference in 2016-17 and the Bombers pace the conference in goals per game (18.10), assists per game (7.40), points per game (25.50), and shots per game (37.30). They also boast a league-best 17.80 draw controls per game. With the Liberty League title, Ithaca earned its 15th all-time appearance to the NCAA Tournament this year and fourth trip since 2019. The Bombers are hosting first and second round games on May 11 & 12.