All-NECC Womens Lacrosse Team announced

Update: 

Taylor Wood, (Castleton, N.Y.) a senior on the Bay Path Lacrosse team was selected to be a member of the All-NECC Sportsmanship Team.

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Southern Vermont College's Mel Orrell claimed 2016 NECC Women's Lacrosse Player of the Year honors after a spectacular junior campaign.

Regis College senior Emma Decker led the conference on the defensive side earning NECC Goalkeeper of the Year Honors. The Southborough, Mass. native led the NECC in conference games with a save percentage of 73.3, and goals against average of just 3.29, after allowing just 23 goals in the seven contests. Decker helped lead the Pride to their fourth straight NECC Women's Lacrosse Title and an undefeated conference record. 

First year Vanessa Vurno, from Elms College, took home Rookie of the Year accolades after an impressive campaign. Vurno finished second in overall points this season amassing 79 points on 46 goals and 33 assists.

Southern Vermont head coach Thomas Otero was voted Coach of the Year, by his peers, after guiding the Mountaineers to the NECC Championship Game in just their second year as an NCAA program.

The All-NECC First Team is led by Ashley Murtha from Mitchell College currently leads the NCAA averaging 6.44 goals per game and stands second in points per game with 6.89. The junior attack finished with the most goals in conference play (39), and the most points (41).

Joining Murtha on the line of attack was Elms College senior Ashley Cava. The Wibraham, Conn. native led the Blazers assisting on 17 goals in conference play and scoring 13 goals of her own. Teammate Jackie Soucia also collected first team honors for her midfield play.  

Becker College was represented on the first team by Erika Galdamez and Rachel Adams.  Junior Galdamez helped secure Becker into the playoffs finishing third in in conference play going (6-13) on free position attempts. Adams ranked first in conference play causing 25 turnovers in seven games.

Also, collecting All-NECC First Team honors from Southern Vermont was Lauren Nesshoever. The junior from Chittenden, Vt. was a strong offensive threat finishing with 45 goals and six assists for the season.   

The Champion Regis Pride were also represented on the first team by senior midfielder Sam Salamone and senior defender Rachel Gagnon. Salamone finished the season third in goals (58) and fourth in overall points with (71). Gagnon was strong on defense throughout the season totaling 41 ground balls and 40 caused turnovers. 

Rounding out the first team selections were Emma Marrs and Kate Frade from Wheelock College. The Wildcats shared the ball well throughout the season as Marrs finished with the most assists in the conference (36) and the most points (83). Frade led the team and the NECC defensively collecting 83 ground balls overall and 38 in conference play.

First Team

Second Team

All-Sportsmanship Team

– #NECCathletics–