WISE - - A year after exceeding expectations in its inaugural season, the women's lacrosse team at UVa-Wise returns for its second season Wednesday when Tusculum College visits Carl Smith Stadium for the Cavaliers' season-opener.
In 2015, UVa-Wise picked up three victories and advanced to the Mountain East Conference Tournament. The impressive debut lead Head Coach Meghan Dennehy to being named MEC Coach of the Year by her peers while midfielder Hannah Marshall was named First-Team All-MEC.
Marshall netted 18 goals picked up 21 groundballs and won 39 draw controls in her freshman season. Also named to the league's All-Freshman squad, the Atlanta, Ga. native produced two hat tricks while tallying 21 points on the season.
In addition to Marshall, UVa-Wise returns a quartet of Second-Team All-MEC honorees. Fairfax product Annie Hanson scored a team-high 20 goals while tying fellow Second-Team All-MEC performer Taylor Lawton for team-high point honors with 24. A Palm Harbor, Florida native Lawton started in all 14 games as a freshman and led the team with 36 groundballs.
Goalie Melanie Reilly registered 149 saves as a freshman en route to Second-Team All-MEC accolades. The Chesapeake product posted 10 or more saves in five contests in 2015, including a career-high 21 saves at Newberry.
Lauren Donahue is the fourth returning Second-Team All-MEC selection. The Stafford native picked up 19 groundballs and caused 12 turnovers.
After the season opener Wednesday, UVa-Wise visits University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) on Feb. 27 before returning home to face Lawrence Tech (Mich.) on March 3rd.
Dennehy's squad will play six of seven games at home between March 19 and April 13. The team concludes the season with three on the road before the conference tournament begins on April 29. The event will be hosted by the regular season champion.
Fans can follow live stats of all home games at http://www.uvawisestats.com and watch the games live by visiting www.uvawisecavs.com and clicking Cavalier Vision.
Wednesday's contest is slated to begin at 4 p.m.
