Balara, Wasson Named to All-BIG EAST Second Team

NEW YORK - Xavier lacrosse's Samantha Balara and Colby Wasson each earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST Team for the first time in their careers.

Balara led the team with 25 goals this season and tied for the team-lead of 32 points. She ranked seventh in the BIG EAST for her 5.12 shots per game. The midfielder also recorded 16 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers and 11 draw controls.
She tallied four hat tricks this season, including three games where she posted a career-best four goals.

In the Musketeers' win over Mercyhurst, Balara led the team with a career-high six points on four goals and two assists, earning her a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll. The Illinois native scored three goals in the program's record-breaking 16-2 win over Detroit Mercy while also picking up three ground balls, one draw control and a caused turnover. Balara scored four goals in back-to-back games against Villanova and California. She ends her Xavier career second all-time in career goals scored (43).

Wasson anchored the Xavier defense this season, totaling a team-high 45 ground balls and 29 caused turnovers. She ranked second in the league for her 2.65 ground balls and seventh for her 1.71 caused turnovers per game. The defender helped Xavier hold opponents to 9.09 goals per game in non conference play.

The junior picked up five ground balls and caused two turnovers in the Musketeers' first win of the season at Mercyhurst. She matched her career-high of seven ground balls while causing four turnovers against Akron. The Pennsylvania native tabbed three ground balls and four caused turnovers in back-to-back matches against Vanderbilt and Villanova. Alongside her defensive performance, Wasson recorded nine draw controls and contributed an assist.

Wasson is the all-time career leader in ground balls (95) and caused turnovers (56) at Xavier. She broke the single-season records for both ground balls (45) and caused turnovers (29) this season.

Balara and Wasson each earn the first postseason nods of their careers. Xavier tabbed two players to the All-BIG EAST Second Team for the second consecutive season.

all-big east honors

Attack Player of the Year
Olivia Ripple, Denver, Jr., A*

Midfielder of the Year
Hanna Bodner, Marquette, Gr., M

Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, UConn, Jr., D

Goalkeeper of the Year
Lexi Gwaku, Denver, So., GK

Freshman of the Year
Dani Serrano, Marquette, Fr., A*

Coaching Staff of the Year
Denver

All-BIG EAST First Team^
Abby Beran, UConn, Jr., D*
Rayea Davis, UConn, R-Sr., A
Lexi Gwaku, Denver, So., GK
Caroline Keil, Denver, R-So., A
Megan Klingenberg, Denver, Sr., D*
Landry Grover, Denver, Sr., D
Olivia Ripple, Denver, Jr., A*
Amanda Brille, Georgetown, Jr., D
Gracie Driggs, Georgetown, Sr., A
Anne McGovern, Georgetown, Jr., A*
Reagan Ziegler, Georgetown, Jr., M
Hanna Bodner, Marquette, Gr., M*
Tess Osburn, Marquette, Sr., A
Dani Serrano, Marquette, Fr., A*
Katie Clark, Villanova, Jr., D
Rose Christie, Villanova, Jr., M
Mary Moore, Villanova, R-So., M*
Emma Verhoest, Villanova, Jr., DC*

All-BIG EAST Second Team^
Elise Latham, Butler, Sr., A
Patricia Lynn, Butler, Sr., D
Barlow Clark-Schoeb, UConn, DC
Megan O'Brien, UConn, So., A
Ryan Dineen, Denver, Sr., A
Carly Frohnapfel, Denver, Sr., D
Eva Thomsen-Marr, Denver, So., A
Molly Davies, Georgetown, Fr., A
Sophia Loschert, Georgetown, So., A
Kendall Steer, Georgetown, Sr., D
Leah Warehime, Georgetown, Gr., GK
Riley Jenkins, Marquette, Jr., M
Sofia Santana, Marquette, Sr., D
Gabby Windesheim, Marquette, Fr., DC
Leslie Iorio, Villanova, So., M
Elena Torres, Villanova, R-Jr., A
Samantha Balara, Xavier, R-Jr., M
Colby Wasson, Xavier, Jr., D

^ Extra players added due to a tie in voting
* Denotes Unanimous Selection

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