Four William Smith lacrosse players earned a spot on the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Empire Region teams. Senior defender
Torie Allen and junior attacker
Molly Fitzgerald garnered first team praise, while senior defender
Karin LeBlanc and first-year midfielder
Lucy Johnson received second team honors.
Allen led the Herons this season with 56 ground balls, 51 draw controls, and 30 caused turnovers. She was second in the Liberty League in all three categories and ranked 27th in the nation in caused turnovers. A two-time first team All-Liberty League selection, Allen played in 64 career games, amassing four goals, three assists, 166 ground balls, 124 caused turnovers, and 84 caused turnovers. She is William Smith’s career record holder for draws and ranks second all-time in caused turnovers.
Fitzgerald has led the Herons in goals and points in each of the past two seasons. She netted 42 goals and set up 10 for 52 points this year. Fitzgerald produced a season-high eight points (7g, 1a) in William Smith’s 19-11 win over Brockport. The three-time All-Liberty League pick is also making her third consecutive appearance on the all-region teams, moving up to the first team for the first time. Over the past three seasons, Fitzgerald has recorded 113 goals and 41 assists for 154 points, ranking her in the top 20 in William Smith history in all three categories.
A three-year starter, LeBlanc posted 32 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers, and five draws. Along with Allen, she was a leader for the Heron defense that allowed 9.13 goals per game (20th in the nation) and led the conference in caused turnovers. LeBlanc earned second team All-Liberty League accolades earlier this month. She played in 61 career games, accumulating two goals, two assists, 108 ground balls, 39 caused turnovers, and 10 draws.
Johnson shared the team lead in assists and finished second in goals and points behind Fitzgerald. The Liberty League Rookie of the Year and first-team all-conference selection started all 15 games this season, notching 37 goals, 13 assists, 36 ground balls, and 29 draws. Johnson registered a season-high seven points (6g, 1a) in a 19-8 win at Clarkson.
William Smith finished the year with an 11-4 overall record, ranked 13th in the nation in the final IWLCA poll.