RICHMOND, Va. – The Colonial Athletic Association released its 2016 All-CAA Women’s Lacrosse Teams today, May 5, with six Elon women’s lacrosse players – Stephanie Asher, Rachel Ramirez, Sloane Kessler, Alexis Zadjura, Shannon Horan and Stephanie Thomson – earning all-conference honors for their accomplishments this season.
Asher and Ramirez earn a spot on the first team after both receiving second team honors a year ago and spot on this year’s preseason team. Ramirez, a two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Week this season, picks up the only goalie spot on the first team for her third all-conference postseason honor in as many years. The junior has tallied all 10 of Elon’s wins this season between the pipes after 91 total saves and a 43.1 save percentage. The Lindenhurst, N.Y., native also leads the league and ranks 22nd nationally in ground balls per game (2.81/game).
Asher, the 2015 CAA Rookie of the Year, ranks first in the league in shots per game (6.62) and fourth in goals per game (2.12). The sophomore midfielder has started all 16 games for the Phoenix this season, tallying a team-high 34 goals and three assists, while also recording 17 ground balls, 13 draw controls and 11 caused turnovers. The Glenelg, Md., native earned CAA Player of the Week honors earlier this season after posting eight goals and two assists in wins over San Diego State and Longwood.
Kessler and Zadjura were named to the All-CAA Second Team after outstanding seasons on opposite ends of the field. Kessler leads the team with 45 points and 19 assists to go along with her 26 goals this season. The junior attack from Owings Mill, Md., is ranked fourth in the league in assists per game (1.19) and seventh in points per game (2.81). Zadjura ranks in the top four on the team in ground balls (26), draw controls (19) and caused turnovers (12). A sophomore defender from Woodstock, Md., she has started all 16 games this year and receives CAA honors for the second straight season after a spot on the all-rookie squad a year ago.
Horan was selected to the CAA All-Rookie Team after a strong freshman campaign. A midfielder that plays mostly on the defensive end, she has started all 16 games as a rookie, ranking second on the team with 21 draw controls and also has 11 ground balls and six caused turnovers. The Mendham, N.J., native netted her first career goal against James Madison and added an assist in a win at Hofstra.
Thomson was selected to the CAA All-Academic Team. The sophomore from Weston, Conn., is a marketing and finance major and leads the team in the classroom.
Elon begins play in the CAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship tomorrow, May 6, as the No. 3 Phoenix faces No. 2 Towson in the semifinals at 3:30 p.m. at Drexel’s Vidas Field in Philadelphia.
2016 All-CAA Women’s Lacrosse Teams
First Team
Betsy Angel – James Madison – Sr. – Attack
Casey Lyons – Delaware – Sr. – Attack
Nadia Pelham-Lacey – Drexel – R-So. – Attack
Lindsay Scott – Hofstra – Gr. – Attack
Stephanie Asher – Elon – So. – Midfield
Jaci Gordon – James Madison – Sr. – Midfield
Taylor Gress – James Madison – Sr. – Midfield
Kaitlyn Montalbano – Towson – So. – Midfield
Abby Junior – William & Mary – Jr. – Defense
Tianna Wallpher – Towson – So. – Defense
Erin Wein – Delaware – Sr. – Defense
Rachel Ramirez – Elon – Jr. – Goalkeeper
Second Team
Sloane Kessler – Elon – Jr. – Attack
Brooks Lawler – James Madison – Sr. – Attack
Natalie Sulmonte – Towson – Fr. – Attack
Jamie Schwartz – Delaware – Jr. – Attack
Kara Dattellas – Delaware – Sr. – Midfield
Shannon Quinn – William & Mary – Jr. – Midfield
Haley Warden – James Madison – So. – Midfield
Lindsay Alfano – Hofstra – Sr. – Defense
Breanna Hamm – Towson – Sr. – Defense
Eva Winiarski – Drexel – R-Jr. – Defense
Alexis Zadjura – Elon – So. – Defense
Taylor Carpentier – Delaware – So. – Goalkeeper
All-Rookie Team
Angie Benson – Towson – Goalkeeper
Carolina Farley – Delaware – Midfield
Ellie Harmeyer – James Madison – Goalkeeper
Shannon Horan – Elon – Midfield
Lexi Lenaghan – Hofstra – Midfield
Hannah Ryan – William & Mary – Defense/Midfield
Caroline Sdanowich – James Madison – Defense
Margaret Stetson – Drexel – Midfield
Natalie Sulmonte – Towson – Midfield
Carly Tellekamp – Towson – Attack
Maddie Torgerson – William & Mary – Attack
2016 CAA Player of the Year: Jaci Gordon, James Madison
2016 CAA Defensive Player of the Year: Erin Wein, Delaware
2016 CAA Rookie of the Year: Natalie Sulmonte, Towson
2016 CAA Coach of the Year: Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe, James Madison
All-Academic Team
Elyse Andrews – Delaware – Sr. – Attack
Tayler Bowman – Towson – Sr. – Goalkeeper
Carolyn Carrera – Hofstra – So. – Midfield/Defense
Alyssa Kalitz – Drexel – Sr. –Defense
Brooks Lawler – James Madison – Sr. – Attack
Kelly Martins – William & Mary – Sr. – Attack
Stephanie Thomson – Elon – Midfield