University of Massachusets Athletics
Croke, Gillespie Join Women’s Lacrosse Team
September 26, 2016 | Women's Lacrosse
Freshmen additions round out women's lacrosse newcomers for 2017 campaign.
AMHERST, Massachusetts – A pair of Bay State standouts have joined the UMass women's lacrosse team as announced by head coach Angela McMahon. Stephanie Croke of Norwell and Molly Gillespie of Topsfield, a pair of talented midfielders, complete the incoming class for the Minutewomen who are coming off a run to the NCAA Elite Eight last season.
"We are excited to have Stephanie and Molly as part of our UMass lacrosse family," said head coach Angela McMahon. "Both are terrific people and will be strong additions to our program as we continue pushing to be one of the best team's in the country. Our goal is to keep the best players from Massachusetts in the state and Stephanie and Molly are definitely a part of that group."
Croke was a two-time All-Massachusetts player at Norwell High School where she helped the Clippers win three state championship titles. She was a an All-Eastern Massachusetts selection as well during her career and earned all-scholastic honors from the Boston Herald (twice), the Boston Globe and the Patriot Ledger. Additionally, she was named the Boston Globe Player of the Year as a junior and senior. For her career, she tallied 324 points including 74 goals and 64 assists as a senior.
Gillespie was the 2016 Cape Ann League Player of the Year as a senior after posting 53 goals, 30 assists, 69 groundballs and 161 draw controls. Over her last two years with the Cheiftans, she helped Masconomet post a 42-3-5 record. In addition to her senior year totals, she finished her prep career with 152 goals, 73 assists, 170 groundballs and 381 draw controls. In 2016, she was honored as a Boston Globe All-Star and picked up her third-straight Cape Anne League All-Star selection.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's lacrosse team, follow the program at @UMassLacrosse on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
"We are excited to have Stephanie and Molly as part of our UMass lacrosse family," said head coach Angela McMahon. "Both are terrific people and will be strong additions to our program as we continue pushing to be one of the best team's in the country. Our goal is to keep the best players from Massachusetts in the state and Stephanie and Molly are definitely a part of that group."
Croke was a two-time All-Massachusetts player at Norwell High School where she helped the Clippers win three state championship titles. She was a an All-Eastern Massachusetts selection as well during her career and earned all-scholastic honors from the Boston Herald (twice), the Boston Globe and the Patriot Ledger. Additionally, she was named the Boston Globe Player of the Year as a junior and senior. For her career, she tallied 324 points including 74 goals and 64 assists as a senior.
Gillespie was the 2016 Cape Ann League Player of the Year as a senior after posting 53 goals, 30 assists, 69 groundballs and 161 draw controls. Over her last two years with the Cheiftans, she helped Masconomet post a 42-3-5 record. In addition to her senior year totals, she finished her prep career with 152 goals, 73 assists, 170 groundballs and 381 draw controls. In 2016, she was honored as a Boston Globe All-Star and picked up her third-straight Cape Anne League All-Star selection.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's lacrosse team, follow the program at @UMassLacrosse on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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