Women's Lacrosse Team, Individuals Earn IWLCA Academic Honors

HANOVER, N.H. - The Dartmouth women's lacrosse team as a whole and three individual student-athletes have earned academic honors from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association.

As a team, Dartmouth was named a Division I Academic Squad for the fourth straight season, posting a combined team grade point average better than 3.0. Dartmouth was one of 51 programs honored with the award, highlighting the emphasis that head coach Amy Patton places on both academic and athletic excellence.

Dartmouth had three student-athletes named to the 151-person Academic Honor Roll for their individual effort. Graduated seniors Eliza Bennett (Darien, Conn.), Chelsea Kirk (Hunt Valley, Md.) and Colleen Olsen (Avon, Conn.) were all recognized for the award for the second straight season. The honor roll is reserved for student-athletes who have reached at least their junior year with a minimum 3.5 grade point average.

Bennett, a geography major, served as a team captain in 2010 and was an integral part of the program despite missing the season with an injury. She was the recipient of the Dartmouth Class of 1980 Award for the woman that best represents herself, the team, the College and the community through academics, athletics and community involvement. Prior to being sidelined, Bennett played in 31 games recording 50 career points on 42 goals and eight assists.

Kirk, an English major, spent four seasons between the pipes as a goalie for Dartmouth, helping maintain one of the nation's top defenses while also helping develop a potent attack. She played in 18 career games, making 31 saves. As a senior, she helped Dartmouth to the nation's fifth-ranked scoring defense with a 4.13 goals against average and .600 save percentage.

Olsen, a French major with an English minor, continues to represent Dartmouth lacrosse after graduation as a member of the US National Team. A four-year starter, Olsen earned a spot of the recently-selected 36-woman 2010 team after a year on the Developmental Squad in 2009. The defender was named to the All-Ivy second team as both a junior and senior, was twice named Academic All-Ivy and earned IWLCA All-Northeast second team accolades in 2009.

Dartmouth women's lacrosse returns 22 players and 10 starters to the field in 2011 on its quest for an 11^th Ivy Championship and 12^th NCAA Tournament bid.

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