Four Saxons named Empire 8 all-stars in women’s lacrosse
4/30/09

ALFRED, NY — Four members of the Alfred University women’s lacrosse team have been named Empire 8 Conference all-stars.

The Empire 8 announced its all-conference teams today and four Saxons — sophomore attacker Michelle Adams (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads), sophomore midfielder Elyse Caldwell (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell), and junior defenders Lisa Button (Troupsburg, NY/Jasper-Troupsburg) and Emily Steen (South Pasadena, CA/Purnell) — each earned honorable mention.

Adams was Alfred’s leader in goals (44) and points (47, on 44 goals and three assists) and she also had 26 groundballs and 16 draw controls. Her goals per game average (4.00) was second in the Empire 8 and her points per game average (4.27 )ranked fourth in the conference. She also earned Empire 8 honorable mention last year.

Caldwell had 15 points on eight goals and seven assists and she also had 27 groundballs (tied for second on the team), 17 draw controls and eight caused turnovers.

Button scored eight points (seven goals, one assist), picked up 25 groundballs and tied for the team lead with 16 caused turnovers.

Steen, who earned Empire 8 Second Team honors last season, had 12 points on six goals and six assists this year. Her 18 draw controls led the team.

Each season, the Empire 8 honors students-athletes from each conference school, who play on teams sponsored by the conference, with Sportsperson of the Year awards. Honorees, chosen by their coaches, exhibited outstanding sportsmanship in keeping with the conference’s mission of “competing with honor and integrity.” Alfred’s honoree from the women's lacrosse team is freshman attack Ivy Lam (Sanford, ME/Sanford).

AU, which has no seniors on its roster, finished the season with a 4-7 record (1-7 Empire 8). The Saxons have improved their record every year since Samantha Valder took over as coach prior to the 2007 season.