Women's Lacrosse

Three Schools Capture Two #AEWLAX Major Awards as All-Conference is Announced

BOSTON – The 2025 America East Women’s Lacrosse Championship begins on Friday at No. 1 Bryant, and the Bulldogs were one of three teams to claim a pair of #AEWLAX major awards. The major awards were announced on Tuesday morning, along with All-Conference, All-Rookie and All-Academic honors.

Bryant’s Kaelynn O’Brien was selected as the Defender of the Year, while head coach Eileen Ferry earned Coach of the Year honors. UMass Lowell clinched a share of its first regular season title, led by Attacker of the Year Jade Catlin and Goalkeeper of the Year Alexa Kuhn. UMBC’s Katana Nelson took home Midfielder of the Year honors while teammate Emily Knapp was named Rookie of the Year.

The award winners were determined in a vote by the league's head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players. The All-Academic selections were chosen by a committee of athletic administrators.
 
2025 #AEWLAX Major Award Winners
Attacker of the Year
Jade Catlin, UMass Lowell – Sr.
  • Ranks third in the league in total goals (50) and first in conference play with 25 goals.
  • Has six assists for 56 total points to go with 49 draws, 23 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers.
  • First River Hawk to be named Attacker of the Year after helping lead UMass Lowell to a share of the regular season title.
  • Also selected First-Team All-Conference for a second straight season.
 
Midfielder of the Year
Katana Nelson, UMBC - Sr.,
  • Second in the league in overall goals (52) and added three assists.
  • Finished regular season with 23 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.
  • First Retriever to be named Midfielder of the Year.
  • Named First-Team All-Conference for the second straight season.
 
Defender of the Year
Kaelynn O’Brien, Bryant – So.
  • Ranks 6th in the nation in caused turnover per game (2.88).
  • Fifth in the league in ground balls (34) in leading Bryant to a share of its first-ever regular season title.
  • First Bryant player to earn an #AEWLAX major award.
  • Recognized as First-Team All-Conference.
 
Goalkeeper of the Year
Alexa Kuhn, UMass Lowell – So.
  • Leads the league in save percentage (47.0%) and ranked 20th nationally.
  • Second in the league in GAA (11.37) and saves (153).
  • Helped lead UMass Lowell to a share of its first-ever regular season title.
  • Named First-Team All-Conference for the first time.
 
Rookie of the Year
Emily Knapp, UMBC – Fr.,
  • Leads the league with 66 total points and is tied for fourth with 46 goals.
  • Has 20 assists, 23 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers.
  • Third Retriever to be named Rookie of the Year and first since 2022.
  • Named Second-Team All-Conference.
 
Coach of the Year
Eileen Ferry, Bryant
  • Led Bryant to a share of its first-ever regular season championship and No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
  • Secured Bryant’s first 10-win season since joining the America East.
  • Assisted by Merredith Kraisser, Sarah Gillogly, Hannah Delahaye and Kenna Kaut.
 
In addition to the major awards, two All-Conference teams were also recognized. UMass Lowell finished with four selections on the first team and league-high seven all-conference honorees overall. UAlbany had two on the first team, but five on the second, while Bryant finished with five all-conference honorees. UMBC and Binghamton each had a pair of first-team selections.
 
 
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Many of the award winners will be in action at the 2025 #AEWLAX Championship starting Friday at Bryant’s Beirne Stadium. No. 2 UMass Lowell and No. 3 UAlbany will square off in the first semifinal on Friday at 4 p.m. while No. 1 Bryant and No. 4 UMBC will meet at 7 p.m. in the second semifinal. The winners will play for the #AWMLAX title on Sunday, May 5 at 12 p.m. on ESPN+.

Visit Championship Central for complete streaming and live stats links as well as box scores, highlights and recaps following each round in addition to team information, tournament history and more.
 
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Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast. 

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