Women's Lax Announces 2010 Team Awards, 2011 Captains

HANOVER, N.H. — The Dartmouth women's lacrosse team celebrated the 2010 season at its postseason banquet, highlighted by the announcement of the team's annual awards and rising captains.

Six different student athletes were honored with the seven annual awards, recognizing both on-field achievement and off-field success, team spirit and camaraderie. Head coach Amy Patton also spoke at length about each of the five members of the senior class, who each brought a unique spirit and personality and showed tremendous loyalty to the program for four years.

Offensive MVP: Greta Meyer (Denver, Colo.), Junior, Attack
Greta Meyer picked up Dartmouth's Offensive MVP award after leading the team in scoring this spring with 58 points on 35 goals and 23 assists. Previously a midfielder, Meyer transitioned seemlessly into a role running the attack, earning first team All-Ivy, first team IWLCA All-North and WomensLax.com All-America honors. She was also one of 25 Tewaaraton Award nominees for the national player of the year.

Defensive MVP: Julie Wadland (Andover, Mass.), Senior, Goalie
Julie Wadland was named Dartmouth's Defensive MVP for the second straight season, capping a career which was just recently highlighted by a selection to the IWLCA All-America third team. Twice a Tewaaraton nominee and first team All-Ivy choice, Wadland was the backbone of the defense this season. She ended the season ranked sixth nationally in goals against average at 8.00 and posted a .457 save percentage with 105 saves. She played all but 29 minutes of the season and led the team with 37 ground balls.

Most Improved Player: Hana Bowers (Greenwich, Conn.), Freshman, Attack
Rookie Hana Bowers came into her own this spring, using her quickness and accuracy to earn herself a spot in the starting lineup midway through the season. Bowers had her breakout game in the win over Yale, coming off the bench to score three goals and made her first collegiate start at Brown on April 3. She went on to start the next seven games, recording a point in all but one.

Don and Margaret Radasch Award: Hope McIntyre (Cockeysville, Md.), Junior, Defense
Given to the player who has shown extraordinary dedication, true coachability and an unselfish attitude.
Hope McIntyre was the coaches' choice for the Radasch award after she showed herself to be a loyal teammate and exceptionally hard worker this season. McIntyre proved to be ready at a moment's notice to bolster Dartmouth's defense, ultimately playing in 10 games with four starts. She played some of her best lacrosse at the Ivy Tournament, starting both games and playing the offense-defense switch role, sprinting to/from the sidelines after every possession in 90 degree heat.

Class of 1980 Award: Eliza Bennett (Darien, Conn.), Senior, Attack
For the woman that best represents herself, the team, the College and community through academics, athletics and community involvement.
A team captain this spring, Eliza Bennett faced one of the greatest challenges in sports when she was sidelined for the entire season with an injury. Formerly a starter on the attack, Bennett learned to channel her energy, knowledge of the game and passion for her team into her role on the sideline. The result was a tremendous effort all season to bring the team together and help the coaches and players in any way she could. Also an excellent student and engaged community member, Bennett was a great representative for Dartmouth lacrosse throughout her career and senior season.

Josie Harper Award: Alex Huestis (Swarthmore, Pa.), Senior, Defense
Named after former lacrosse coach and Dartmouth Director of Athletics Josie Harper, this award is given to the player who has shown love for the game, genuine respect and care for her teammates and pride in Dartmouth lacrosse and hard work.
Head coach Amy Patton presented this award, named after her longtime mentor, to Alex Huestis as a player who has unfailingly shown a love of the game and her team for four years. Huestis' enthusiasm and laughter are infectious and she has consistently put the good of the team above her personal goals.

Patty Pierce Award: Julie Wadland (Andover, Mass.), Senior, Goalie
Selected by the juniors, seniors and coaches and presented to the graduating senior who has contributed to the team the most both on and off the field.
Graduating as Dartmouth's first IWLCA All-America honoree since 2007 and a four-year starter, Wadland was the clear choice for the Patty Pierce Award this spring. Her tireless work ethic has resulted in not only personal success but team success for Dartmouth, helping the team return to the national top-10 this season. Wadland was also one of just three athletes to be two-year captains in Dartmouth lacrosse history.

In addition to Bennett, Huestis and Wadland, Dartmouth recognized seniors Chelsea Kirk (Hunt Valley, Md.), a goalie and Colleen Olsen (Avon, Conn.), an All-Ivy defender, for their contributions on and off the field during the past four years.

Lastly, Patton concluded the night by starting a new tradition in which the graduating captains “pass the torch” by each announcing the name of a newly chosen captain for the upcoming season. Olsen announced Greta Meyer, All-Ivy and All-Region attack; Wadland announced Shannie MacKenzie (Darien, Conn.), All-Ivy and All-Region defender; and Bennett announced Kat Collins (Darien, Conn.), an All-Ivy attack whom she had known since childhood, as captains.

Those three seniors will lead a core of 22 returning players including 10 returning starters that will take the field next spring on the quest for an 11th Ivy League Championship and 12th NCAA Tournament bid.

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