May 26, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's lacrosse team received a final ranking of No. 5 by the IWLCA on Tuesday afternoon following the conclusion of the NCAA Championship. The Nittany Lions earned their highest ranking since March 2005 (No. 2).
Following the team's impressive run to the Big Ten Tournament title and the NCAA Quarterfinals, head coach Missy Doherty's charges were recognized by the national coaches' poll as the fifth best team in the nation. Penn State went 16-5 and fell in the quarterfinals to NCAA runner-up, North Carolina, who checked in at No. 2.
The top four teams consisted of national champion Maryland, UNC and semifinalists Syracuse and Duke. Penn State was the top ranked non-advancing quarterfinalist followed by fellow Big Ten representative Northwestern at No. 6. Boston College, Virginia, Princeton and Loyola rounded out the top 10.
In all, the Big Ten had three of the top six teams in the nation (1st, 5th and 6th), a feat matched by the ACC (2nd, 3rd and 4th). The Nittany Lions went 4-4 against top 10 opponents, reaching the NCAA Quarterfinals as an unseeded team. Against IWLCA top 20 teams, the Nittany Lions went 8-5.
Penn State's 16-win season marked its highest win total since 1989, while the team reached its third NCAA Quarterfinals in four years under Doherty. Penn State has made four consecutive appearances in the national tournament for the first time since 1991.
Doherty was tabbed Big Ten Coach of the Year for her team's championship performance as the Nittany Lions earned their first conference tournament title.
In addition to the team's accomplishments, the Nittany Lions saw individual awards roll in on the conference, regional and national level. Junior goalie Emi Smith (Denver, Colo.) was tabbed Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Tournament Team, IWLCA All-Region First Team and IWLCA All-America Third Team. Senior attacker Maggie McCormick (Eldersburg, Md.) earned IWLCA All-America Second Team honors in addition to being named All-Region First Team and All-Big Ten.
The individual plaudits stretched across the field for Penn State as senior midfielder Tatum Coffey (Toms River, N.J.) was IWLCA All-America Third Team, IWLCA All-Region First Team, All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Sophomore defender Abby Smucker (Bel Air, Md.) was named Big Ten Tournament MVP, All-Big Ten and IWLCA All-Region First Team as well.