George Washington University Athletics
GW Lacrosse Hands Out 2016 Team Awards
5/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
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May 23, 2016
WASHINGTON -- The George Washington lacrosse squad announced its team award winners last week, which were decided by a vote of team members.
"The coaching staff was very pleased with the individuals selected for our major team awards," said head coach Tracy Coyne. "All of the award winners represented through their actions on the field the core values of the GW lacrosse program. They are true competitors who worked every day to make us better."
Senior Gabbi Hull was named the team's Most Valuable Player. One of five Colonials to start all 17 games this season, Hull tied for the team lead with 22 goals and also led GW with 31 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers while ranking third with 17 draw controls. The midfielder scored 14 goals over the final five games of the season, with a career-high four three times in that span, and she ranked ninth in the Atlantic 10 with 1.19 caused turnovers per game.
"Gabbi played her heart out in every game this season," said Coach Coyne. "She really came up big for us so many times. In A-10 play, she had three four-goal games, which is an amazing individual accomplishment. Gabbi set such a positive example and was a great teammate."
Sophomore goalkeeper Adele Wise was tabbed the team's Most Valuable Defender. Wise started 15 games in goal and posted 119 saves, matching the 10th-highest single-season total in program history. She ranked fourth in the Atlantic 10 in saves per game (7.44) and also tied for fourth on the team with 22 ground balls. Wise averaged 8.9 saves over the final seven games of the year, including a career-high 15 stops against No. 19 Massachusetts, the eighth-most ever by a Colonial in a game.
"Adele really stepped up her game this season," said Coach Coyne. "She had a few games where she showed true flashes of brilliance, especially in the Navy game (when she made nine saves and allowed just nine goals). Adele's willingness to put the team's success first is what makes her the perfect teammate."
Freshman Rachel Yaffe was named the team's Most Improved Player. Yaffe appeared in 15 games during her rookie campaign, starting the final five contests of the season. She recorded 18 ground balls, eight draw controls and nine caused turnovers on the year, tallying 15 ground balls and all nine caused turnovers over the final four games.
"Rachel developed very quickly into a significant contributor on the defensive unit," said Coach Coyne. "Once she settled into the college game, Rachel was able to excel on the field. She gained valuable experience this season, which should help her evolve into one of our top defenders."
Senior Olivia Boudreau received the Tough As Nails Award, which recognizes an individual who is willing to do the dirty work to help achieve the team's goal; a player who is not afraid to make the tough play on the field -- take a charge, battle for the 50/50 ball and out-sprint the opponent for a key possession.
An A-10 All-Conference Second Team midfielder, Boudreau ranked second on the squad with 19 assists, 33 points and 16 caused turnovers while adding 14 goals, 21 ground balls and 16 draw controls. One of five Colonials to start all 17 games, she tallied at least one point in 16-of-17 contests and ranked 10th in the league with 1.12 assists per game. Boudreau finished her career tied for fifth all-time at GW with 51 assists.
"Olivia is one of the best athletes I have ever coached," said Coach Coyne. "If everyone played with the same heart, competitiveness and hustle that drives Olivia in every game, we would be national champions. Olivia never backs down from a challenge; it's what makes her such a special athlete."
Boudreau was also recognized at last weekend's Senior Honors Breakfast with the inaugural Tex Silverman Outstanding Athletic Leadership Award. A two-time team captain, Boudreau was a three-year member of GW's Student-Athlete Leadership Academy and graduated as a Legacy Leader. She was honored as a Leader of Merit by her peers and coaches.
Assistant strength and conditioning coach Dan Raimondi also recognized a pair of lacrosse players who demonstrated a true commitment to strength training and overall improvement in the weight room over the course of the academic year.
Junior Shea Cassidy was named the team's Iron Woman as the weight room "MVP" -- someone who embraces the culture in the weight room, pushes others to be better, leads by example and continually puts forth the necessary effort off the field to be better on the field.
"The Iron Woman was a very tough choice, as several players on the team showed real grit and determination in the weight room," said Raimondi. "Ultimately, Shea proved day in and day out until the very end that she was willing to put forth not just the minimum, but everything she could each session to get stronger, faster and more powerful. She also pushed those around her and set a positive example which others could emulate."
In addition, junior Erin Long was named the Most Improved in the weight room.
"Erin Long worked harder than anyone to drastically improve her performance in the weight room," said Raimondi. "By consistently working on her weakness she showed how dedication and hard work can lead to substantial strength gains. I would never have guessed from the fall semester that she would improve the way she did, but once she committed to her training plan, she proved me wrong and I could not be more proud of her effort."
2016 GW Lacrosse Team Awards
Most Valuable Player: Gabbi Hull
Most Valuable Defender: Adele Wise
Most Improved Player: Rachel Yaffe
Tough as Nails Award: Olivia Boudreau
Iron Woman Award: Shea Cassidy
Most Improved, Weight Room: Erin Long
