2021 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Major Awards and All-MAAC Teams Announced
Edison, N.J. (April 29, 2021) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced the 2020-21 Women’s Lacrosse All-MAAC Team and Major Award winners, as voted by the league’s nine coaches.
Monmouth’s Fifth Year Nicole Ceraso was named the 2021 Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year. Ceraso finished the season with 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points, while having 54 shots, 36 of which were on goal. Ceraso was the only player in the MAAC this season to record over 20 assists and averaged 5.0 points per game. This is Ceraso’s second time taking home Offensive Player of the Year Honors as she took home the award in 2019 as well.
The 2021 Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year is Maggie Reynolds of Fairfield University. The senior caused 14 turnovers this season and scooped up 13 ground balls. Reynolds also helped the Stags to win their third straight MAAC Regular Season Championship.
Fairfield also saw their Senior Kelly Horning take home the 2021 Women’s Lacrosse Midfield Player of the Year. Horning started 11 games this season and scooped 34 ground balls which was tied for the most in the MAAC and caused 22 turnovers which was also the most in the MAAC. On the offensive side Horning added 27 goals and 8 assists, while having 51 shots, 35 of which were on goal.
Niagara’s Michelle Messenger earned the 2021 Women’s Lacrosse Goalkeeper of the Year award. The junior made 110 saves this season, while only conceding 92 goals which was the second lowest among goalies in the MAAC appearing in 10 or more games. Messenger had .545 save percentage this season which led all MAAC goalkeepers. The Purple Eagles were 7-3 with Messenger in net this season.
The 2021 Women’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Year is Niagara’s Rachel Crane. Crane appeared in 11 games this season, starting in 10. She tallied 25 goals and had six assists for 31 points on 61 shots, 46 of which were on net. Crane also scooped up 15 ground balls and caused nine turnovers.
See below for the full list of honorees:
| 2021 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Major Awards |
| Award |
Player |
School |
| Offensive Player of the Year |
Nicole Ceraso |
Monmouth |
| Defensive Player of the Year |
Maggie Reynolds |
Fairfield |
| Rookie of the Year |
Rachel Crane |
Niagara |
| Midfielder of the Year |
Kelly Horning |
Fairfield |
| Goalkeeper of the Year |
Rachel Crane |
Niagara |
| BSN Sports Coach of the Year |
Abigail Rehfuss |
Siena |
|
2021 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse All-MAAC First Team
|
| Position |
Name |
School |
| Attack |
Nicole Ceraso* |
Monmouth |
| Attack |
Kaitlyn Dowsett* |
Siena |
| Attack |
Meaghan Graham |
Fairfield |
| Attack |
Shea Swartwout |
Niagara |
| Attack |
Samantha Mehalick |
Marist |
| Midfielder |
Kelly Horning |
Fairfield |
| Midfielder |
Mary Soures |
Siena |
| Midfielder |
Kerry Gerety |
Siena |
| Defense |
Maggie Reynolds |
Fairfield |
| Defense |
Lauren Paul |
Niagara |
| Defense |
Romy Villemure |
Marist |
| Defense |
Riley Lucarelli |
Canisius |
| Defense |
Emily Pomeroy |
Siena |
| Goalkeeper |
Michelle Messenger |
Niagara |
* Denotes Unanimous Selection
|
2021 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse All-MAAC Second Team
|
| Position |
Name |
School |
| Attack |
Allison Turturro |
Monmouth |
| Attack |
Megan Szawlowski |
Quinnipiac |
| Attack |
Caroline Bleck |
Monmouth |
| Attack |
Grace Lipponer |
Manhattan |
| Midfielder |
Sophia Iaccino |
Quinnipiac |
| Midfielder |
Rachel Crane |
Niagara |
| Midfielder |
Rachel Mills |
Monmouth |
| Defense |
Shannon Feeley |
Monmouth |
| Defense |
Tania Cunningham |
Niagara |
| Defense |
Caroline Mangan |
Fairfield |
| Defense |
Megan Hart |
Monmouth |
| Defense |
Julia Steneck |
Quinnipiac |
| Defense |
Emily Fiorillo |
Siena |
| Goalkeeper |
Delaney Galvin |
Marist |
2021 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse All-Rookie Team |
| Name |
School |
| Riley Davis* |
Canisius |
| Maddie Noel* |
Quinnipiac |
| Lexi Braniecki |
Niagara |
| Rachel Crane |
Niagara |
| Laura Bonomo |
Siena |
| Shannon Feeley |
Monmouth |
| Brooke Lennon |
Fairfield |
| Julia Steneck |
Quinnipiac |
| Bella D'Gracia |
Marist |
| Carli Mangum |
Monmouth |
| Kalie Moore |
Quinnipiac |
| Rylee Harrell |
Fairfield |
| Phoebe Proctor |
Fairfield |
| Jillian Reiner |
Manhattan |
* Denotes Unanimous Selection
Keep up with all MAAC Lacrosse action by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and by searching #MAACLax.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) celebrates its 40
th year of competition during the 2020-21 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.