SCHENECTADY, NY – The Union College women's lacrosse team was well represented in the 2009 IWLCA All-Empire Regional Teams with four Dutchwomen garnering honors. Junior middy Allie Cuozzo and sophomore attack Kristin Joyce were named to the all-regional first team, while sophomore attack Chelsea Charette and sophomore goalie Cat Ruggiero earned second team accolades.

 

The IWLCA honored 224 student-athletes in Division III across seven regions. These athletes are now eligible for inclusion on the IWLCA/US Lacrosse All-American teams, which will be announced on May 22. The IWLCA and US Lacrosse will honor the National All-Americans at the IWLCA/US Lacrosse All-American banquet on June 13 at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa.

 

Cuozzo lead the Dutchwomen in ground balls (61) and caused turnovers (32). She had 26 goals and seven assists for 33 points. She had three goals and five points at #3 Franklin & Marshall, and six grounds balls vs. St. Lawrence and #14 William Smith. Cuozzo caused five turnovers each against Rochester and St. Lawrence, and had a season-high eight shots against Skidmore.

 

Joyce led the league in goals (64) and points (85) and is third in draw controls (49). She won three Liberty League Player of the Week awards, and scored in every one of Union's 19 games. She had six goals against Vassar and #14 William Smith (the game that clinched the undefeated season).

Ruggiero is a four-time Liberty League Defensive Player of the Week. She posted a 7.26 GAA and a .526 save percentage on her way to registering a 13-4 record. Ruggiero posted a shutout vs. Nazareth. She made 13 saves in the win over #8 Middlebury and 12 vs. Williams. She also stopped 11 vs. #3 Franklin & Marshall and 10 in the win over #6 Hamilton. She led the league in goals against average and is second in save percentage. 

Charette scored in every game for Union this season, and had 47 goals and 27 assists for 74 points. She had five goals against #6 Hamilton and St. Lawrence, and eight points against the Saints. She had seven points in four other games, and posted nine shots against #17 Cortland and against the Saints. Charette won four draw controls vs. Skidmore and led Union with four game winning goals, which tied for the most in the league.