WISE - - UVa-Wise women's lacrosse coach Meghan Dennehy was named Mountain East Conference Coach of the year on Thursday. Dennehy led the team to three wins in the inaugural season, including a 10-9 overtime victory over Norte Dame College giving the school its first ever MEC victory.

"I am so grateful for the experience to coach lacrosse at UVa-Wise.  This school and this team help me fully understand what coaching is all about. "Dennehy stated. "I am humbled and honored to be named conference Coach of the Year and for all of our players that were recognized by the MEC in our first season!  The future of this program is bright, and I can't wait to see what is in store for us in the coming seasons."

Before coming to UVa-Wise, Dennehy was the head coach at Queens University of Charlotte for six total seasons. Over Dennehy's six-year stint, she had 23 players named to the all-conference team, 10 named to the all-tournament team, 10 named to the conference academic team, one conference player of the year, one conference freshman of the year, eight all-region team selections, five academic all-American team selections, and two all-Americans. 

Five individuals received recognition from the conference as well. Hannah Marshall was an All-MEC First Team performer as she scored 18 goals, picked up 19 groundballs, and caused 16 turnovers. Marshall posted two hat tricks in her freshman season. Most recently, Marshall scored three goals and tallied six draw controls in the regular season finale at Tusculum. In addition, Marshall earned MEC All-Freshman Team honors.

Annie Hanson, Lauren Donahue, Mel Reilly and Taylor Lawton all received All-MEC Second Team recognition.  Donahue had a season-high five ground balls at Tusculum. Hanson scooped 20 ground balls and scored 21 goals while Reilly contributed 150 saves and 20 groundballs. Lawton racked up 13 goals, tallied 22 total points and gathered 35 groundballs.

Reilly joined Marshall on the MEC All-Freshman Team.

As Dennehy said, the future is promising, with 13 players returning for her second season at UVa-Wise.

The team will be traveling to Shepherdstown, West Virginia to compete against Shepherd University in the MEC tournament on Friday at 4 p.m.