CAPE COD, MA -- Union College sophomore Cat Ruggiero has been named the 2009 ECAC Division III Upstate Women's Lacrosse Goaltender of the Year. Ruggiero was joined on the all star team by attack Kristin Joyce, midfielder Allie Cuozzo and defender Tory Arnold.

Union had four of the 12 players selected, the most of any team represented.

Ruggiero was previously named to the IWLCA All Region and Liberty League All Star teams. She was ranked third in NCAA Division III in goals against average with a 7.26 goals against average. Ruggiero was 13-4 with a save percentage of .526, which ranked 14th. She posted a shutout in 43:42 vs. Nazareth (coming out with a large lead). She made 13 saves in the win over #8 Middlebury and 12 vs. Williams and also stopped 11 at #3 Franklin & Marshall and 10 in the win over #6 Hamilton. Ruggiero stopped 10 each in NCAA playoff games against Rowan and Franklin & Marshall. She led the league in goals against average and save percentage and had seven games with six or less goals allowed.

Joyce was the Liberty League Player of the Year and an IWLCA First Team All-Region selection. She is a candiate for All-American honors. The sophomore had 64 goals, 21 assists and 85 points with 49 draw controls and four game winning goals. Joyce led the Liberty League in goals and points and scored in every one of Union's 19 games. She also led the league in points per game. She had six goals against Vassar and #14 William Smith (the game that clinched the undefeated league regular season at 7-0). Joyce had 17 multi-goal games and had highs of nine points and 13 shots vs. William Smith. She had seven ground balls vs. #17 Cortland and three caused turnovers vs. Rowan in the NCAA First Round victory.



Cuozzo, an IWLCA and Liberty League all star, had 26 goals and seven assists for 33 points. She led the Dutchwomen in ground balls (61) and caused turnovers (32). She had three goals and five points at #3 Franklin & Marshall, and six ground balls each vs. St. Lawrence, #14 William Smith, and Rowan (in the NCAA First Round game win). Cuozzo caused five turnovers each against Rochester and St. Lawrence, and had a season high eight shots against Skidmore.



Arnold played in all 19 games in her freshman season. She was a key member of a defense that led the Liberty League and that was ranked sixth in NCAA scoring defense. Arnold and the defense helped lead Union to a Liberty League undefeated regular season and an NCAA Regional appearance that included a win at home in the first round for Union.



Union, ranked as high as #6 nationally, matched the school record of 15 wins and finished with a 15-4 record after reaching the NCAA Division III Regionals.