WLAX's Murtha Tabbed NECC Rookie of the Year
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Mitchell College freshman Ashley Murtha was named New England Collegiate Conference Rookie of the Year for the sport of women's lacrosse, as announced by the conference on Monday morning.
Murtha, who was also an all-conference honorable mention selection, led the NECC in goals (26) and draw controls (36) in league play. She started all five conference games and scored at least three goals in each, including an 11-goal flurry in her first collegiate game against Bay Path College.
Murtha was a four-time NECC Rookie of the Week selection during the regular season. Over 10 games she finished with 54 goals and three assists and is currently leading the country in goals per game (5.40). Her 13 goals in a win over Albertus Magnus College on April 21 also rank as the highest single game total in Division III this season.
Mitchell, which also took home the NECC's Team Sportsmanship Award, made its varsity debut in 2014 and finished with an overall record of 2-8 (1-4 NECC).
2014 NECC Women's Lacrosse All-Conference Awards
Player of the Year
Ashley Mossey, Becker (Sr, M - Ballston Lake, N.Y.)
Goalkeeper of the Year
Emma Decker, Regis (So, GK - Southborough, Mass.)
Rookie of the Year
Ashley Murtha, Mitchell (Fr, M - South Windsor, Conn.)
Coach of the Year
Courtney Duggan, Regis
Team Sportsmanship Award
Mitchell College
First Team All-Conference
Christina Boucher, Becker (Sr, A - Pawcatuck, Conn.)
Emma Marrs, Wheelock (Jr, A - Old Lyme, Conn.)
Nora McDonough, Elms (Jr, A - South Hadley, Mass.)
Grace Politis, Regis (Mass.) (Jr, A - Billerica, Mass.)
Molly Centore, Wheelock (Jr, M - Kennebunk, Maine)
Katie Gavin, Wheelock (Jr, M - Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass.)
Ashley Mossey, Becker (Sr, M - Ballston Lake, N.Y.)
Sam Salamone, Regis (Mass.) (So, M - Milford, Mass.)
Jacqueline Chila, Becker (Sr, D - Monroe, Conn.)
Mary Roma, Regis (Mass.) (So, D - Portland, Maine)
Kathleen Tuechler, Elms (Fr, D - Farmingdale, N.Y.)
Emma Decker, Regis (So, GK - Southborough, Mass.)
Honorable Mention
Alyssa Bond, Becker (Jr, F - Thompson, Conn.)
Tatum Fahs, Becker (Jr, M - Foster, R.I.)
Valerie Ferrante, Wheelock (Jr, A - Milford, Mass.)
Ashley Murtha, Mitchell (Fr, M - South Windsor, Conn.)
Jillian Pirog, Elms (So, A - Ludlow, Mass.)