NEWMAC Announces Women’s Lacrosse All-Conference Awards

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (May 6, 2009) – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced its 2009 women’s lacrosse postseason awards yesterday. After leading her team to the league’s tournament championship over the weekend Babson College junior Anna Collins was named NEWMAC Player of the Year. Her teammate, first year Trisha Babson, took home NEWMAC Rookie of the Year accolades. Julia McPhee of Wellesley College was selected as the NEWMAC Coach of the Year, and Smith College received the league’s Sportsmanship award.

Mount Holyoke senior Ava Gottschall and junior Peggy Wefald were each voted to the NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team following outstanding performances in 2009. No strangers to NEWMAC accolades, both players were selected to the All-Conference Second Team last spring. In addition, Wefald earned the honor as a first year in 2007.

Gottschall enjoyed a dominant season for Mount Holyoke, racking up team highs of 53 points, 44 goals and nine assists. The midfielder finished with 46 draw controls, 37 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers. She netted three goals or more on nine occasions this spring. Gottschall’s top performance of the season came in the Lyons dramatic 15-14 victory over rival Smith College on April 21. With her team trailing 13-11 in the waning minutes, she scored four goals, including the winner with 22 seconds remaining in regulation. She finished the contest with seven tallies. Six days later, Gottschall was named NEWMAC Player of the Week (April 20-26). In her three year career at Mount Holyoke, she amassed 99 points on 83 goals and 16 assists.

Wefald was enjoying an outstanding season until an injury forced her to miss the Lyons final five contests. In just 11 games played, she piled up 46 points on 43 goals and three assists. The midfielder also collected 29 ground balls, 15 caused turnovers and a team best 58 draw controls. She found the net three times or more eight times and posted five goals or more on six occasions. Wefald exploded for seven tallies in Mount Holyoke’s 16-8 triumph over Westfield State College on March 12. She recorded game winners in victories over Keene State College (13-12 – March 10) and Allegheny College (15-12 – March 18). For her career, she has posted 180 points. Her 154 career goals are the second most in program history, and she has also dished out 26 assists.

Mount Holyoke wrapped up its 2009 campaign with an overall record of 5-11. The Lyons recorded a 1-5 mark in league play and fell to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Quarterfinal Round of the NEWMAC Tournament.

2009 NEWMAC Women's Lacrosse All-Conference Team and Award Winners

Player of the Year
Anna Collins, Babson

Rookie of the Year
Trisha Babson, Babson

Coach of the Year
Julie McPhee, Wellesley

Sportsmanship Award
Smith College

First Team All-Conference
Kaitlyn Pettengill, Babson, M
Jackie Godfrey, Babson, M/A
Lindsay Bucci, Babson, A
Anna Collins, Babson, M
Casey Flynn, MIT, A
Stephanie Brenman, MIT, D
Heather Dobson, Springfield, A
Lauren McAulay, Springfield, GK
Jenn Zubkus, Springfield, A
Nicole Flores, Springfield, D
Loretta White, Wellesley, M
Caitlin Grant, Wheaton, A

Second Team All-Conference
Jessica Parker, Babson, A
Trisha Babson, Babson, M
Sarah Macary, Babson, GK
Samantha O’Keefe, MIT, M
Ava Gottschall, Mount Holyoke, M
Peggy Wefald, Mount Holyoke, M
Meghan Wisell, Springfield, D
Erin Doolan, Springfield, A
Molly Morrow, Wellesley, A
Jenny Holland, Wellesley, A
Meredith Roy, Wellesley, M
Bridget Thornton, Wheaton, M