New Paltz Sports Information Department
Northborough, MA — The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association released its annual all-region teams Friday and for just the second time in program history, SUNY New Paltz was represented on the list.
Hawks seniors Kaitlyn Shaw and Morgan Woolley both earned second team honors for the Empire Region. Shaw was the first ever all-region selection in program history when she was placed on second team in 2022 and now becomes the only two-time recipient, while Woolley played her way to a career season in just her second year and was named to the all region team for the first time in her career.
Shaw, from Rye Brook, NY, captained SUNY New Paltz to its best season to date. The team set new records for overall (14) and conference wins (6), securing its highest seeding in postseason history (third), while winning its first ever postseason game in a 17-5 rout of Oneonta at home on North Turf Field. Shaw's presence in every aspect of the program, both on the field and off, was instrumental in moving the program forward with a young squad. She provided leadership and stability to lead the Hawks in critical regular season wins over Utica, Kean and Brockport.
With all the intangibles, Shaw also delivered on the stat sheet. She broke six school records, one of which she had already held, to solidify herself as the best player to ever suit up for the program. Returning for a fifth year, Shaw already holds single season records in points (96) and goals (70), single game records for points (12) and goals (9) — the latter of which she matched twice — and career records for points (238) and goals (185). She became the program's first ever SUNYAC Midfielder of the Year selection after placing first in the conference in goals, points and shots (148). Her 96 points tied for 34th most in the country, while her points per game average of 5.33 finished 45th in the country.
Woolley, meanwhile, maybe had one of the biggest breakout performances by any Hawk. Excelling in her second season in coach Randy Vite's zone defense, Woolley set a single season record in caused turnovers with 52, while also holding the single game mark with nine in a 14-5 win over the Cougars. She finished tied for 15th in the country in caused turnovers per game, averaging 2.94 a contest. Her quickness in the top of SUNY New Paltz's zone defense allowed the team to keep opponents to just 17 shots against per game with team's scoring just seven goals per game against the Hawks. As a team, SUNY New Paltz ranked 40th in caused turnovers per game and ninth in in the country in goals against.
Woolley, a Blue Point, NY native, enjoyed her first, First-Team All-SUNYAC selection this spring. The two-sport athlete, starring for SUNY New Paltz's field hockey program, was also an all-conference pick this past fall but the all-region selection is a first for the senior in her athletic collegiate career.
A total of 256 student-athletes were picked on the IWLCA Division III All-Region team with 16 selected on first and 16 selected on second teams on eight regions, respectively. With the all-region recognition, both Shaw and Woolley are eligible to be considered for the IWLCA All-American list, which will be released May 24.
View the full IWLCA All-Region teams by clicking here.
