Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/23/18
From Press Release
James Madison University was selected to repeat as Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Women’s Lacrosse champions while Dukes junior Haley Warden (Garnet Valley) was chosen as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year in a vote of the league’s seven head coaches.
James Madison received six first place votes for a total of 36 points, finishing just ahead of Towson which finished with 31 points Elon was picked to finish third with 24 points while Delaware was close behind in fourth with 21 points. Rounding out the group was Hofstra (16), Drexel (11) and William & Mary (8).
The Dukes captured the 2017 CAA Championship title and rode that momentum into the second round of the NCAA Championship and finished the year at 14-7. James Madison was led by Warden, who earned CAA Player of the Year honors as well as IWLCA All-America Third Team accolades. Warden, a midfielder, posted 28 goals to go along with a team-best 69 draw controls, 52 ground balls and 47 caused turnovers. She was also named the Most Outstanding Performer of the 2017 CAA Championship. Warden is joined by teammates Kristen Gaudian (53g, 7a), Elena Romesburg (Central Bucks West, 36g, 11a, 45dc, 51gb) and Rebecca Tooker (32ct, 26gb) while Hanna Haven (39g, 19a) earned an honorable mention.
Rounding out the Preseason All-CAA Team was Delaware midfielder Becky Gohsler (36g, 10a, 43dc) and goalkeeper Taylor Carpentier (8.62GAA, 122 saves) and Hofstra midfielder Alyssa Parrella (47g, 29a, 54dc), the 2017 CAA Rookie of the Year.
2018 CAA Women’s Lacrosse Predicted Order of Finish
1. James Madison 36 (6)
2. Towson 31 (1)
3. Elon 24
4. Delaware 21
5. Hofstra 16
6. Drexel 11
7. William & Mary 8
CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Haley Warden (Garnet Valley), James Madison
2018 CAA Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Team
Name School Year Position Hometown
Stephanie Asher Elon Sr. A Glenelg, Md.
Kristen Gaudian James Madison Sr. A Fairfax Station, Va.
Natalie Sulmonte Towson Jr. A Levittown, N.Y.
Emily Gillingham Towson Sr. M Kitchener, Ontario
Becky Gohsler Delaware Sr. M Mendham, N.J.
Kaitlyn Montalbano Towson Sr. M West Islip, N.Y.
Alyssa Parrella Hofstra So. M Miller Place, N.Y.
Elena Romesburg (CB West) James Madison Sr. M Chalfont, Pa.
Haley Warden James Madison Sr. M Glen Mills, Pa.
Olivia Conti Towson So. D Wantagh, N.Y.
Rebecca Tooker James Madison Sr. D Eastport, N.Y.
Tianna Wallpher Towson Sr. D Ellicott City, Md.
Alexis Zadjura Elon Sr. D Woodstock, Md.
Taylor Carpentier Delaware Sr. GK Garden City, N.Y.
Honorable Mention: Carly Tellekamp, Towson (Jr., A), Hanna Haven, James Madison (Jr., M), Drew Shapiro, Hofstra (Sr., M), Molly Savage, Drexel (Sr., D)
