Marquette University Athletics
Gabriel Named to Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
1/26/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Official BIG EAST Release
NEW YORK - Junior midfielder Grace Gabriel was a unanimous selection on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, while the Marquette University women's lacrosse team was picked to finish in a tie for sixth place as the league released its annual preseason coaches' poll and awards on Friday.
Gabriel, who is just one of eight unanimous selections on the 16-member preseason squad, was also a unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team pick and an All-West/Midwest Region honoree in 2017 thanks to a single-season program record 81 draw controls to go along with 41 goals scored a season ago.
The Lancaster, N.Y., native's historic year in the draw circle led to her overtaking the program record with 106 career draw controls after just two seasons. She added 21 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers last year as well.
Marquette opens the 2018 season Friday, Feb. 9 at Johns Hopkins and features nine home games for the first time in program history, beginning with Central Michigan on Friday, Feb. 16.
Keep up with the Marquette women's lacrosse program all season long through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWLax) and Instagram (@MarquetteWLax) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWLax).
BIG EAST Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Florida (9) 81
2. Denver (1) 73
3. Georgetown 62
4. Temple 56
5. Connecticut 49
6. Vanderbilt 37
Marquette 37
8. Villanova 27
9. Cincinnati 19
10. Butler 9
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Lindsey Ronbeck, Florida, Jr., A
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Haley Hicklen, Florida, Jr., GK
Preseason All-BIG EAST^
Julia Blaze, Vanderbilt, Jr., M
Katie Comerford, Villanova, So., A
Cassie Ekstrom, Connecticut, Sr., D
Julia Feiss, Denver, Jr., A
Grace Gabriel, Marquette, Jr., M*
Haley Hicklen, Florida, Jr., GK*
Kendra Lanuza, Denver, Jr., A*
Nicole Latgis, Temple, Sr., D*
Grace Nolan, Connecticut, Sr., A*
Allie Pavinelli, Florida, Sr., M
Shayna Pirreca, Florida, Sr., A
Sydney Pirreca, Florida, Jr., M*
Lindsey Ronbeck, Florida, Jr., A*
Morgan Ryan, Georgetown, Jr., A
Cara Trombetta, Florida, So., D
Francesca Whitehurst, Georgetown, Jr., M*
*unanimous selection
^extra player added due to a tie in voting
