Athenas Lacrosse Team Awards
After a great season, the CMS women's lacrosse team has voted for its key players of the year. While many Athenas played pivotal roles this season, the players voted for their MVP and Unsung Hero. The coaching staff also selected one player to receive the "Coach's Award" for their commitment and hard work this season.
MVP- This year, with a tie vote, the Athenas honored two co-MVPs for the 2011 season- senior captains Sarah Dick and Kaitlyn Desai.
Sarah Dick's long list of accolades are capped off by this great honor from her teammates. The conference Player of the Year two years in a row, followed an impressive junior year by leading her teammates to a second undefeated season both in region and in conference. Dick led the team in goals and is the single season leader in goals scored in program history. Dick not just scored goals but was a key contributor on the draw circle, in transition and recovering ground balls. The consummate leader by example Dick was not just one of the best players on the CMS team but also one of the hardest working.
Kaitlyn Desai has been honored by her teammates for her toughness and many contributions this season. Desai has been a tremendous leader and one of our most committed players. Desai is credited with playing tough defense and really breaking out offensively in this past 2011 season. Offensively, Desai contributed 27 goals to compliment 14 assists. Desai was a pivotal factor in wins against Buffalo State with four goals and in NCAA 1st round play against Redlands with six goals. A reliable factor everywhere on the field, Desai is probably best known by teammates for being a true warrior and always setting the bar of toughness higher than anyone else. Desai has battled through a variety of injuries that would have sidelined many throughout her entire career. No matter what the injury, Desai's teammates knew she could be counted on to still be a big factor on every game day. Her perseverance to lead this team has been recognized by those that practice with her every day and know the sacrifices she has made to see the CMS team be successful.
Unsung Hero- Bayley Mullan. The Baltimore native, received an overwhelming number of votes for this year's Unsung Hero. Mullan's play this year was defined by gritty work on both ends of the field. Playing a variety of roles for the Athenas this season, Mullan was able to scoop up ground balls at critical times, cause key turnovers in transition, and play intimidating defense despite her 5'0" frame. Mullan's impact often didn't show up on the stat sheet but her hard work and scrappy play helped set the tone for the Athenas defensively and in transition.
Coachs' Award- Madi Shove. This year's Coachs' Award selection went to the Athenas' second leading scorer, sophomore Madi Shove. A strong candidate for SCIAC Player of the Year in 2011, Shove's effort and intensity in practice and game day this season were unparalleled. While being a team leader in goals scored, Shove also posted the highest shooting percentage on the team. Against conference foe Whittier on April 16th, Shove scored a program high 9 goals. The coaching staff particularly took note of Shove's effort to expand her game by dishing out 11 assists, good for third on the team behind the two senior MVPs. Shove was also able to bring down 41 draw controls gaining valuable possessions for the Athenas. A force everywhere on the field, Shove also was the team leader in ground balls and caused turnovers. The sophomore, is known and feared for her determination and willingness to put it all on the line on every play.