Four Generals Named to NSCAA All-South Atlantic Region Squad

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) recently released its 2009 Division III All-South Atlantic Region squad and four Generals were named to the first team.

Senior Maggie Sutherland (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sewickley Academy) and sophomores Emily Leary (Cincinnati, Ohio/Kings), Kat Lawson (White Post, Va./Clarke County) and Allie Espina (Gaithersburg, Md./Good Counsel) were all honored on the first team.

A team captain, Sutherland played in all 22 games in the midfield this season, starting 20 of those contests and finished third on the team in scoring with a career-high 19 points (9 g, 1 a). A two-time First Team All-ODAC honoree, she also garnered Second Team All-South Atlantic laurels last season and was named the ODAC and VaSID Rookie of the Year en route to posting Second Team All-ODAC honors in 2006.  Sutherland played in 83 career games with 77 starts and completed her career with 33 points on 15 goals and three assists.

Leary was the recipient of Second Team All-America honors while also collecting ODAC Player of the Year and First Team All-ODAC honors. She played in 21 games with 20 starts in goal and posted a 15-2-3 record. She logged an impressive 0.54 goals-against average on the season, allowing only 11 goals in over 1,835 minutes of play, while posting an .833 (55 saves) save percentage on the season. For the year, Leary posted the second-best shutout total (13) and third-best goals-against average (0.54) in program history.

A defender, Lawson became the first W&L women’s soccer player to receive First Team All-America honors while also being named to the First Team All-ODAC squad in her first season with the Generals this year. A transfer from Colgate, Lawson started all 22 matches and was a part of the Generals’ defense that allowed only 11 goals, while posting an impressive 0.50 goals-against average and 16 shutouts for the season. She also had three points, notching one goal and one assist.

Espina saw action in 21 games this season with 19 starts at forward. She led the team in points (26) and goals scored (12), to go along with a pair of assists.  Espina recorded four multiple-goal games and five game-winning goals to lead the team.

Washington and Lee completed the 2009 campaign with a 17-2-3 overall record and a 9-0-2 mark in the ODAC while claiming the third ODAC Championship in program history. The Generals advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament, defeating Christopher Newport in the first round before falling to Lynchburg College in the second round.

-- GENERALS --