ARLINGTON, Va. – In an unprecedented season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept the country, the Virginia Sports Information Directors announced the 2020 VaSID All-State College Division Women's Lacrosse teams, with the major awards going to recipients from three different institutions.
Washington and Lee University's Caitlin Anderson was honored as the Player of the Year, after being named a first-team All-American by Inside Lacrosse. She led the Generals with 34 draw controls, 24 ground balls, and 18 caused turnovers. As the team's top defender, she helped hold opposing teams to a 7.33 goals-per-game average, while playing the third-toughest schedule in Division III (.718 opponent winning percentage). Anderson was named the IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week on March 10, as well.
The Rookie of the Year was awarded to Kelsey Winters from Christopher Newport University; she finished the year with 35 points and 23 assists to lead all freshmen in the NCAA. Her assists were good for fourth among all players in the country. She was named the Capital Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week on March 2 and was the first freshman to lead the conference in assists since the 2009 season. Winters also became the first CNU freshman to have back-to-back multi-goal games against nationally-ranked opponents.
Shenandoah University Head Coach Lindsey Lutz took home the Coach of the Year honor, after leading her team to the best start in program history (7-0). The Hornets outscored their opponents 113-57 on the year, as they ranked second in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference with 113 goals and 52 assists and third with 16.14 goals per game. The defense was also one of the best in the league, as its goalies ranked second with a 50.4 save percentage and fourth with an 8.14 goals-against average.
The All-State first team was led by two selections, each, from Washington and Lee, Southern Virginia University, and University of Mary Washington.
Anderson was selected to the first team for the Generals and was joined by goalkeeper Elliot Gilbert. Gilbert started all six games for W&L, tallying 43 saves and a 7.56 goals-against average.
Attacker Alissa Johnson and midfielder Hannah King were first-team selections for Southern Virginia. Johnson led the team with 25 goals and 33 points, coming just 10 points shy of the freshman program record in just six games. King was second on the team with 20 goals and 29 points.
Mary Washington landed a pair of attackers on the first team, in Paige Haskins and Morgan Shorts. Both started all seven games for the Eagles, with Shorts tallying 26 goals and nine assists, while Haskins added 29 scores and three assists.
The first team was rounded out by CNU's Winters, Marymount University's Caitlyn Dunn, Bridgewater College's Mackenzie Parcell, Sweet Briar College's Kaylah Bailey, and Shenandoah University's Alyson Bittinger.
In all, 11 institutions were represented on the All-State teams, with Mary Washington leading the way with four selections, including two on the first team and two on the second.
VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.
Major Award Winners:
Player of the Year: Caitlin Anderson, Washington and Lee University
Rookie of the Year: Kelsey Winters, Christopher Newport University
Coach of the Year: Lindsey Lutz, Shenandoah University
First Team:
Attacker Paige Haskins, University of Mary Washington
Attacker Alissa Johnson, Southern Virginia University
Attacker Morgan Shorts, University of Mary Washington
Attacker Kelsey Winters, Christopher Newport University
Defender Caitlin Anderson, Washington and Lee University
Defender Caitlyn Dunn, Marymount University
Defender Mackenzie Parcell, Bridgewater College
Midfielder Kaylah Bailey, Sweet Briar College
Midfielder Alyson Bittinger, Shenandoah University
Midfielder Hannah King, Southern Virginia University
Goalie Elliot Gilbert, Washington and Lee University
Second Team:
Attacker Zoe Dyer, Christopher Newport University
Attacker Jesse French, University of Virginia-Wise
Attacker Dani Murray, Washington and Lee University
Defender Jenny Bosserman, University of Mary Washington
Defender Rylie Cole, University of Mary Washington
Defender Kameryn Darrington, University of Virginia-Wise
Defender Allie O'Leary, University of Lynchburg
Midfielder Caroline Earnshaw, University of Virginia-Wise
Midfielder Kendall Krause, Christopher Newport University
Midfielder Sarah Perry, Randolph College
Goalie Meagan Gagnon, Marymount University