HOME OF BULLDOG WOMEN'S LACROSSE

The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced yesterday that six University of Redlands women’s lacrosse student-athletes have earned Academic Squad honors. This honor is given to juniors and seniors who boast a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Junior defender Erin Benjamin (San Diego, CA) led the Bulldogs with her GPA of 3.709 as a Psychology major. During the 2009 season, she helped solidify the backline by picking up nine ground balls while causing six turnovers. This three-time Redlands Scholar-Athlete also tallied two draw controls for the Bulldogs.

As an accounting major, senior midfielder Lauren Matta (Holyoke, MA) boasted a 3.704 GPA. A Redlands Scholar-Athlete each year of her career, she has continuously personified the ideals of a true student-athlete, earning both academic and athletic excellence. She owns career school records in ground balls (198) and draw controls (169) and also ranks second all-time in goals (100). This past season, Matta produced the team’s second-highest totals in goals (27), points (30) and draw controls (53) while also adding three assists, 30 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers.

Senior midfielder Lisa O’Kane (San Diego, CA) gains the IWLCA honor for her 3.686 GPA as a Communicative Disorders major. Last season, she competed in every game for the Bulldogs, posting 14 ground balls, 12 draw controls, and nine caused turnovers. This two-time Redlands Scholar-Athlete also contributed three goals and one assist.

As a double major in Managerial Studies and Environmental Studies, senior midfielder Liza Gray produced a cumulative GPA of 3.575. During the 2009 lacrosse season, this three-time Redlands Scholar-Athlete ranked third on the team in draw controls with 42 and came up with 26 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers. In addition, she scored 11 goals and supplied two assists.

Junior attack player Anna Moriarty (Oak Park, IL) put together a 3.517 cumulative GPA while pursuing her degree in Religion with a minor in Spanish. This Redlands Scholar-Athlete supplied four goals and three assists while adding two ground balls and one caused turnover.


Finally, senior midfielder Ali Chope (San Francisco, CA) earned IWLCA academic honors with a 3.550 GPA as a Psychology major. In 14 games, she tallied 17 ground balls, 11 draw controls and three caused turnovers to go along with five goals and one assist. Chope also earned Redlands Scholar-Athlete laurels each year of her career.

These honors come on the heels of the Bulldogs’ IWLCA Team Academic award, which was announced late last month, for their combined cumulative GPA of 3.2.