Stevens' Kyra Bednarski Headlines E8 Women's Lacrosse Awards as All-Conference Teams are Announced

5/7/2019 8:50:15 AM

Empire 8 Conference women's lacrosse champion St. John Fisher led the way with six first team selections, including a pair of major awards as the conference announced its major honors and all-conference awards Thursday morning. Stevens' Kyra Bednarski earned E8 Player of the Year honors, while Fisher's Molly Tice was tabbed the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. Tice's teammate, Sydney DeGirolamo was selected as the league's Rookie of the Year. Hartwick's Ashley Jablonowski was honored as the E8's Goalkeeper of the Year and the Utica coaching staff, led by Kristin St. Hilaire earned the Coaching Staff of the Year. 

To see the complete list of those that were honored, please see below. Fisher led the way with eight all-conference honorees, while Nazareth, Stevens, and Utica each had six student-athletes recognized. All of the awards are selected by the league's head coaches. 

CLOSER LOOK
Bednarski had a huge year for the Ducks, as she led the league in goals and points on her way to being named the conference's top player for the second consecutive year. She scored 72 goals and accounted for 101 points, both league-bests. Her 5.32 points per game average was more than one point per game higher than any other E8 women's lacrosse player. Her 29 assists was fourth-best in the league, and she was also named a First Team All-Conference selection once again. 

Fisher's Tice led a Cardinals' defense that was tops in the E8 on their way to another conference title this spring. In their 19 games played so far this season, Tice led a defense that has only allowed a total of 80 goals. The Cardinals defense only allowed five goals in their two E8 tournament games, including just one in their semifinal win over Nazareth. Tice has been credited with 29 caused turnovers on the season, and she was also named a First Team All-Conference selection. 

Hartwick's Jablonowski was among the conference's leaders in every category for netminders. She was third in both save percentage and saves per game. The four-time E8 Goalie of the Week was also in the top ten in goals allowed per game. Jablonowski was also named a First Team All-Conference selection. 

Sydney DeGirolamo had a remarkably consistent year on her way to being recognized as the conference's top newcomer. The freshman standout scored at least one goal in every game this season for the Cardinals and currently has 34 tallies on the season. She's also handed out 35 assists, which is second-best in the league. Her 69 total points is currently third-best in the conference. DeGirolamo was also recognized as a First Team selection by the league's coaches.

The Utica coaching staff, led by Kristin St. Hilaire was named the 2019 E8 Coach of the Year by her peers. The Pioneers finished the year with a mark of 13-4, including earning the No. 2 seed in the E8 Championship with a league record of 6-2. Six Utica student-athletes received all-conference laurels, including Hailee Dumont and Katlyn Scarpinella, who were First Team selections.

Player of the Year - Kyra Bednarski, Stevens
Defensive Player of the Year - Molly Tice, St. John Fisher     
Goalkeeper of the Year - Ashley Jablonowski, Hartwick
Rookie of the Year - Sydney DeGirolamo, St. John Fisher
Coaching Staff of the Year - Utica College
 
1^st Team All-Conference
Attack - Sydney DeGirolamo, St. John Fisher
Attack - Mallory Eymer, St. John Fisher
Attack - Kyra Bednarski, Stevens
Midfielder - Logan Chase, St. John Fisher
Midfielder - Mary Doyle, St. John Fisher
Midfielder - Hailee Dumont, Utica
Midfielder - Katlyn Scarpinella, Utica
Defender - Vicki Arena, Nazareth
Defender - Kyra Kempney, Nazareth
Defender - Hayley Maguire, St. John Fisher
Defender - Molly Tice, St. John Fisher
Goalie - Ashley Jablonowski, Hartwick

2^nd Team All-Conference
Attack - Emma Robinson, Nazareth
Attack - Emily Shanklin, Stevens
Attack - Lexi Scaccia, Utica
Midfielder - GinaMarie Wilson, Hartwick
Midfielder - Cori Beck, Houghton
Midfielder - Hannah Condren, Stevens
Midfielder - Kaitlynn Palmer, Utica
Defender - Alexandra Lettre, Sage
Defender - Erin Mills, St. John Fisher
Defender - Tori Bruce, Stevens
Defender - Regan Littell, Stevens
Goalie - Brianna Rizzari, Nazareth / Hali Vandermeulen, Utica
 
Honorable Mention
Madison Latranyi, Alfred
Jennifer Darasz, Hartwick
Hailey Pooler, Hartwick
Meagan Barry, Houghton
Marissa Hews, Houghton
Lily Aldrich, Nazareth
Arianna Torpey, Nazareth
Emily Thompson, St. John Fisher
Morgan Westerby, Stevens
Sydney Scaccia, Utica

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR TEAM
One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2019 Women's Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.

Sportsman of the Year Team
Sarah Turner, Alfred
Tina O’Donnell, Elmira
Emma Kaplan, Hartwick
Carly Cronin, Houghton
Kellie Byrne, Nazareth
Alexandra Franco, Sage
Sarah Miles, St. John Fisher
Hannah Condren, Stevens
Devon Burri, Utica

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com and https://youtu.be/wzL4HcDoUUQ