Stephanie Croke Named A-10 Women’s Lax Midfielder of the Year

AMHERST, Mass. – UMass women's lacrosse sophomore Stephanie Croke was named the Atlantic 10 Midfielder of the Year as the league office announced its annual awards on Monday. Along with Croke, senior attack Holly Turner, senior attack Hannah Burnett and senior defender Kasey Keane all earned first team All-Atlantic 10 honors as well.

Burnett was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Academic team for the second consecutive year as well.

Croke, a native of Norwell, Mass., had a breakout season as the Minutewomen's top midfielder with career-best numbers across the board. The speedy two-way midfielder ranked fifth on the team in points (37), third in assists (21), and was second in groundballs (40), draw controls (32) and caused turnovers (22).

Keane was UMass' top individual defender who led the A-10 in groundballs (59) and ranked third in caused turnovers (40). The Westwood, Mass., native had a breakout season as a full-time starter – doubling all her previous career-high totals for caused turnovers and groundballs for a season. Her 40 caused turnovers are the second most for a single-season in program history, while her 59 groundballs are the 5^th best total.

One of the top offensive players in the league for second straight year, Burnett earns her second career honor as a member of the All-Atlantic 10 First Team. The Huntington, N.Y., native ranks second in goals (57) and fourth in points (71). Her 71 points are just five shy of her season-best 76 set last season when she was also a first team selection.

Turner leads the A-10 in points (83), assists (46) and is 13^th in goals (37). One of the top all-time players in UMass history, the Pittsford, N.Y., native ranks second for career points (270), is eighth for goals (132) and holds the program record for assists (138). The senior posted a career-best 46 assists this year and has nearly matched her totals from last year where she was also an A-10 first team selection and the Offensive Player of the Year. Defensively, Turner has increased her productivity on the ride as well with career-best numbers for caused turnovers (21) and groundballs (39). Overall, this marked the third straight time Turner earned first-team honors.

UMass will enter this week's Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed after posting a 13-4 overall record and an 8-1 mark in league play. The Minutewomen are seeking their 10^th consecutive (11^th overall) A-10 championship title. UMass shared the regular-season title with Richmond which also finished the season with an 8-1 league mark.

The A-10 Championship will be hosted at Richmond's Robins Stadium beginning Thursday, May 3 with the quarterfinal round. The Minutewomen will begin play in Friday's semifinals facing the winner of fourth-seeded VCU and fifth-seeded Davidson. The opening draw of UMass' game is set for 1 PM and will be streamed live for free on the Atlantic 10 Digital Network.

For complete coverage of the UMass women's lacrosse team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter (@UMassLacrosse), Facebook (@UMassWLacrosse) and Instagram (@UMassLacrosse) as well as online at www.UMassAthletics.com.

Offensive Player of the Year: Kim Egizi, Richmond
Defensive Player of the Year: Julie Ball, Richmond
Midfielder of the Year: Stephanie Croke, Massachusetts
Rookie of the Year: Erin Donoghue, George Mason
Co-Coach of the Year: Allison Kwolek, Richmond/Jen O'Brien, VCU

FIRST TEAM
Attack
Holly Turner, Massachusetts
Hannah Burnett, Massachusetts
Kim Egizi, Richmond
Rebecca Lane, Saint Joseph's

Midfield
Sarah Kopp, Davidson
Erin Donoghue, George Mason
Bridget Ruskey, La Salle
Stephanie Croke, Massachusetts
Katie Sciandra, Richmond

Defense
Abbey Meehan, La Salle
Kasey Keane, Massachusetts
Julie Ball, Richmond

First Team Goalkeeper
Rose Woolson, Davidson
Megan Gianforte, Richmond

SECOND TEAM
Attack
Chachi Kelehan, George Mason
Corrine Wessels, George Mason
Molly Barcikowski, VCU

Midfield
Katie Quinn, George Washington
Bridget Cerciello, Saint Joseph's
Sky Hyatt, VCU

Defense
Kira Greer, George Mason
Hannah Warpinski, George Mason
Tegan Helms, Richmond
Kathryn Yoder, St. Bonaventure
Juliana Strazulo, Saint Joseph's

Second Team Goalkeeper
Jenna Oler, George Washington

ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Olivia Carey, Davidson
Natalie Junior, Davidson
Carlee Braverman, Duquesne
Erin Donoghue, George Mason
Jenna Oler, George Washington
Ioanna Mantzouratos, George Washington
Bridget Ruskey, La Salle
Emily Johnston, La Salle
Brittney Wright, Richmond
Rachel Ziemba, Richmond
Stephanie Kelly, Saint Joseph's
Sam McGee, Saint Joseph's

ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Rachel Hianik, Davidson
Sarah Kopp, Davidson
Kira Greer, George Mason
Hannah Warpinski, George Mason
Camaryn Kerns, George Washington
Ashley Blanton, La Salle
Hannah Burnett, Massachusetts
Kim Egizi, Richmond
Aly Fries, Richmond
Kristine Wallace, St. Bonaventure
Bridget Cerciello, Saint Joseph's
Kristen Kelbon, Saint Joseph's
Kelley Flint, VCU
Sky Hyatt, VCU

Scoreboard