COLLEGE PARK, Md. – After winning the Big Ten with an undefeated 6-0 record, six members of the No. 2 Maryland women's lacrosse team earned All-Big Ten honors Wednesday.
Junior defender Julia Braig, junior midfielder Jen Giles, junior attacker Caroline Steele and senior attacker Megan Whittle were all selected as unanimous selections, while sophomore defender Lizzie Colson and freshman midfielder Grace Griffin also made the team. The six players were instrumental in leading the Terps to the Big Ten regular season title.
The 21-person team features six attackers, eight midfielders, six defenders and one goalkeeper. Maryland tied with Northwestern for the most players from any team, while leading the way with four out of the conference's eight unanimous selections.
Maryland has garnered 67 all-conference honorees in head coach Cathy Reese's 12 seasons. Whittle has now earned All-Big Ten honors in all four seasons, while Braig and Giles have now made the All-Big Ten team for the second straight year.
One of the most decorated players in program history, Whittle has had a sensational senior season, leading the Terps in points (77) and goals (65), ranking top-ten nationally in goals. The Glenwood, Md. native became Maryland's all-time leading goal scorer in a conference game against Ohio State back on April 15, surpassing lacrosse legend Jen Adams' mark. Whittle now stands third all-time in NCAA history with 279 goals. 22 of Whittle's 65 goals this season have come in Big Ten play, standing tied for the conference lead in that category. The senior tallied five goals against Michigan and #15 Penn State during conference play. Whittle has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week four times this season.
Braig leads Maryland's tenacious defense, which leads the Big Ten, only allowing 8.17 goals per game during conference play. Often defending the opponent's best player, Braig has been key in holding Maryland's Big Ten opponents to under 10 goals in every game but one. The junior has totaled eight groundballs in conference play.
Making an impact all over the field, Giles, in conference play is third on the team in points (20), goals (14) and assists (six), while leading the team, picking up 13 groundballs. On the season, Giles leads the team in assists with 21. In the Big Ten Regular Season Championship game against #7 Northwestern, Giles stepped up, leading the team with six points, while recording a career-best four goals to pace the potent Maryland offense. Giles has been named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week once this season.
In conference play, few have made more of an offensive impact than Steele, who leads Maryland with 24 points, by way of 17 goals and a team-best seven assists. Steele's 24 points over the six B1G games ranks third in the conference. Against Ohio State on April 15, Steele led the way with seven points, while also tallying five against #24 Johns Hopkins (3/24) and #7 Northwestern (4/26).
As a sophomore, Colson has stepped up on the defensive end all season, leading Maryland in groundballs (33) and caused turnovers (20). Colson also leads the Terps in caused turnovers during conference play with seven, while ranking second with 11 groundballs. The sophomore has also played a huge role on one of the nation's best draw control teams, tallying 29 during conference play, tied for fourth best in the conference. Colson has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week four times this season, the most in the conference.
As the only freshman starter on the team, Griffin has pitched in on both the offensive and defensive ends, totaling 23 goals, seven assists, 28 groundballs and 11 caused turnovers. Griffin has had some of her biggest games against the best teams, tallying five points in wins over #4 James Madison and #15 Penn State. For her efforts in both of those games, Griffin was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week following each game.
Alex McKay was named Maryland’s sportsmanship honoree.
Since Big Ten lacrosse began back in 2015, Maryland has had 27 All-Big Ten selections.
The Attack Player, Midfielder, Defensive Player and Goaltender of the Year, along with the Freshman and Coach of the Year, will be announced on Monday, May 7 following the conclusion of the Big Ten Tournament.
The top-seeded Terps will take on either No. 4-seed Johns Hopkins in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich. Opening draw is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.
-Maryland-
