SCIAC selects 10 Athenas for year-end awards
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – Following a spectacular undefeated run through the conference during the regular season, the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's lacrosse team saw 10 of its athletes recognized by the SCIAC while head coach Lauren Uhr won Coach of the Year. Among the 10 athletes, five were named on the All-SCIAC First Team and four were placed on the Second Team.
Coach Uhr and her assistant Rachael Martinez have led the Athenas to a perfect 10-0 record in the SCIAC and 14-1 overall. Having constructed a deep roster that can dictate the game on both ends of the field, Coach Uhr guided the Athenas to the top seed in the SCIAC Tournament. The Athenas have also picked up major non-conference wins over Connecticut College, Amherst, and Colorado College.
Junior Katie Hill (CMC) was named SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year, having run a defense that led the SCIAC in goals allowed average at 5.00. The defender collected 20 ground balls in conference play, but her biggest contributions came from her ability to disrupt the opposing midfield and help her team maintain possession on the offensive end. Hill was also named on the All-SCIAC First Team.
Three Athenas midfielders were also selected to the All-SCIAC First Team, including senior Cara Cancelmo (CMC) and juniors Lauren Clubb (CMC) and Evan Murphy (CMC). Cancelmo has played a vital role to the CMS transition game, using her size and ball-winning ability to help the Athenas keep possession and push forward from defense to offense. She won 40 draw controls and caused 29 turnovers this season. Clubb has provided plenty of sparks to the Athenas' offense, dissecting opposing defenses and finding open teammates for a shot. She leads the Athenas with 20 assists. Murphy has been a key two-way player, providing plenty of support on defense and offense. She contributed 29 goals, 42 ground balls, and caused 29 turnovers this year.
Emily Cohen (CMC) was the only CMS freshman named on the All-SCIAC First Team as the attacker was recognized for her keen nose for goal. Leading the Athenas with 35 goals, including 20 in conference play, Cohen's debut season was nothing short from spectacular as she always found a way to get open for a shot as well as convert difficult ones in tight situations.
Sophomore Corie Hack (CMC) earned a spot on the All-SCIAC Second Team due to her slick offensive skills, scoring 20 goals in conference play (31 overall) and collecting 23 ground balls. Three freshmen also found their way on the second team, including Allie Hill (CMC), Luisa Valles (CMC), and Kira Weiss (CMC). Allie Hill has stepped in as an immediate impact player for CMS, helping Cancelmo control the ball from midfield as well as score when need. She has 20 goals and 13 assists this season. Valles and Weiss have played solid defense all season, breaking up opposing offenses from establishing position near the net and playing tight coverage.
Senior Zoe Pinczower (CMC) was honored on the SCIAC Sportsmanship Team. In addition to being a speedy offensive force on the wings for the Athenas, Pinczower has served as a leader to her teammates off the field. Her play on the field provides an infectious energy that resonates with the rest of the team.
By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant
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