Women's lacrosse earns Team Sportsmanship Award, four All-CCC selections
NEWPORT, R.I. – The Salve Regina University women's lacrosse team had four players announced as members of the 2012 All-Commonwealth Coast Conference women's lacrosse team, while also earning the CCC Team Sportsmanship Award. Junior Kelly Burke (Georgetown, Mass.) highlighted the selections as a member of the All-CCC First Team, while senior Sarah Livingston (Westford, Mass.), junior Danielle Malconian (Belmont, Mass.), and sophomore Josie O'Reilly (Middletown, R.I.) were named to the All-CCC Second Team.
This marks the second time in the past four seasons that Salve Regina has captured the Team Sportsmanship Award. "We are very honored to be chosen by the conference coaches for the Team Sportsmanship Award," says head coach Jennifer Foster. "It is the one award that all twenty of our players were a part of."
First Team selection Kelly Burke tied for third in the conference with 52 goals during the regular season, while also ranking fourth in points (75). The junior midfielder scored on 60.5% of her shots and led the Seahawks with 57 draw controls on the year. "Kelly Burke is having a tremendous year for us in the midfield," says Coach Foster. "Her play in our attacking and defensive ends has been instrumental in our team's success." The model of consistency, Burke compiled five points or more during 11 of the Seahawks' 16 games. She was named the CCC Offensive Player of the Week for the time period of April 2- 8, scoring 13 points and 10 goals over two games. Burke is the program's all-time leader in points (208) and goals (158), while ranking second on the school's all-time list with 50 assists.
Senior captain Sarah Livingston tied Burke for third in the conference with 52 goals on the season, adding 14 assists for a total of 66 points. She scored a goal in all 16 of Salve Regina's contests this season, saving her best for last, compiling a season-high eight points and six goals during the Seahawks' regular season finale versus Daniel Webster. "Sarah Livingston has stepped up again offensively, whether it be managing our plays or going to goal," says Coach Foster. "It is nice to see her receive conference recognition in her final season at Salve Regina." As one of the Seahawks' go-to scorers, Livingston is the program's all-time leader in game-winning goals.
Malconian was one of the top defensive players in the conference this season, as the junior ranked second in the league with 52 ground balls, while also placing among the top five in the CCC in caused turnovers (22). As Coach Foster explained, "Danielle has played consistently this year on defense and can be counted on to stop our opponent's scoring threats." Malconian showcased her defensive skills during Salve Regina's 19-11 victory over Simmons, during which she led all players with an outstanding nine ground balls and nine caused turnovers.
O'Reilly had a terrific season in net for the Seahawks, leading the conference with an average of 10.38 saves per contest. The sophomore goalie set a program record with 11 victories this season. When asked about O'Reilly's performance this year, Coach Foster stated, "Josie has been a great addition to our team's defensive unit. Her play in goal has kept us in games and given our team confidence this season." She was selected as the CCC Defensive Player of the Week for the period of April 2- 8, leading the Seahawks to a pair of wins while compiling an impressive .545 save percentage.
"These four players are very deserving of their all-conference selections," says Coach Foster. "Along with their teammates, they have raised Salve Regina Women's Lacrosse to a new level of play." Burke, Livingston, Malconian, and O'Reilly helped the Seahawks to a program record 11 wins so far this season. The team earned the #4 seed in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship tournament and will host #5 Roger Williams this Saturday (1 p.m.) at Gaudet Field.
