Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/3/22
From Press Release
Denver was unanimously selected as the BIG EAST women’s lacrosse preseason favorite based on a vote of the league’s head coaches.
The reigning champion Pioneers earned all five available first-place votes for a total of 25 points. Connecticut’s Sydney Watson was tabbed BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Villanova Sydney Frank was named BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. A 15-member Preseason All-BIG EAST Team was also named. The preseason poll and awards are selected by a vote of the league’s head coaches who are not allowed to vote for their own team or players.
Following Denver in the poll was 2021 runner-up UConn, which earned 21 points and the remaining first-place vote. Two-time BIG EAST postseason champion Georgetown was voted third with 17 points, followed by Villanova in fourth with 13. Marquette (fifth, nine points) and Butler (sixth, five points) rounded out the poll.
Villanova’s Frank is a two-time All-BIG EAST First Team selection after earning the honor in 2019 and 2021. She sparked the Wildcats to their second straight BIG EAST Championship berth and third overall, leading a defensive unit with 25 caused turnovers, 68 draw controls and 40 ground balls over 17 games played. Villanova went 6-11 overall and 4-6 in BIG EAST play to tie Marquette for fourth place in the standings. Frank was one of three Wildcats named to the 2022 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, along with fellow unanimous pick Libby McKenna (Sr., M) and senior midfielder Alexa Tsahalis.
Georgetown saw two recognized on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, including reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Kylie Hazen. Hazen started all 16 games for the Hoyas and led GU in points (45) and goals (33). Senior midfielder Annabelle Albert (Lawrenceville School-NJ) was also a preseason honoree. Georgetown went 6-10 overall and 5-5 in BIG EAST play for a third-place finish in 2021. Its season ended in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship, falling to UConn in a tightly contested, 15-13, battle.
The top four teams in the standings qualify for the 2022 BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Championship presented by JEEP. Denver will serve as host of this year’s conference tournament, which is slated for May 5 and 7 at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- Denver (5) 25
- Connecticut (1) 21
- Georgetown 17
- Villanova 13
- Marquette 9
- Butler 5
(first-place votes)
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Sydney Watson, UConn, Grad., M
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Sydney Frank, Villanova, Sr., D
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Grace Coon, UConn, Sr., A*
Ariana Kline, UConn, Jr., D*
Lia LaPrise, UConn, Sr., A*
Stephanie Palmucci, UConn, Grad., A
Sydney Watson, UConn, Grad., M*
Landyn White, UConn, Sr., GK*
Bea Behrins, Denver, Grad., A*
Sammie Morton, Denver, Grad., D
Sam Thacker, Denver, Jr., D
Annabelle Albert (Lawrenceville School-NJ), Georgetown, Sr., M
Kylie Hazen, Georgetown, So., A*
Lydia Foust, Marquette, Sr., M*
Sydney Frank, Villanova, Sr., D*
Libby McKenna, Villanova, Sr., M*
Alexa Tsahalis, Villanova, Sr., M
