Singler Named Offensive MVP, Rookie of the Year as Four Belles Earn All-MIAA

  • Mary Singler earned both Most Valuable Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year accolades.
  • Singler, Clare Theisen, and Rachael Leonard were all First Team All-MIAA honorees while Kate Kelly was recognized with a Second Team All-MIAA honor.
  • The four honorees marks the most Saint Mary's lacrosse student-athletes to earn all-conference accolades.

FREELAND, Mich. - Mary Singler was named Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year as the Saint Mary's lacrosse team had a program-high four representatives named All-MIAA for the 2017 season. Singler, Clare Theisen, and Rachael Leonard were all First Team All-MIAA honorees while Kate Kelly was recognized with a Second Team All-MIAA honor.

Mary Singler claimed two of the league's top honors after a breakout first season for the Belles. A two-time MIAA Offensive Player of the Week, Singler earned both Most Valuable Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year accolades. A freshman attacker/midfielder, she was in the top ten in goals, assists, points, and shots on goal while also being named First Team All-MIAA. In eight conference games, she had 24 goals, 11 assists, and 35 points. Against the three other MIAA schools in this year's conference tournament, she posted nine goals and four assists. Singler is the first Saint Mary's lacrosse player to earn both awards. Additionally, she becomes the first non-senior to earn the MIAA's Most Valuable Offensive Player award.

Clare Theisen was one of five midfielders who earned First Team All-MIAA honors for the 2017 season. A junior co-captain for the Belles, she was first in caused turnovers, second in ground balls, third in draw controls, and tied for 14th in total points. In games against the three other teams in the MIAA Tournament, she had 23 ground balls, 10 draw controls, and 14 caused turnovers. A two-time MIAA Defensive Player of the Week, the First Team All-MIAA honor is the first of her career.

Rachael Leonard was one of three defenders to pick up First Team All-MIAA accolades this spring. A sophomore on the Belles lacrosse team, she had 28 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers in MIAA play in 2017. Her caused turnover total was the fifth-best in conference play, and her ground balls were the seventh-highest total in MIAA competition this year. The First Team All-MIAA recognition is the first of her career.

Kate Kelly was one of five midfielders to receive Second Team All-MIAA recognition. A sophomore for Saint Mary's, she was ninth in assists, tenth in total points, and 13th in goals scored in 2017 MIAA play. Additionally, she was third in ground balls, fourth in caused turnovers, and seventh in draw controls. An MIAA Offensive Player of the Week earlier this spring, the All-MIAA honor is the second of her career after being named to the first team a season ago.

The four honorees marks the most Saint Mary's lacrosse student-athletes to earn all-conference accolades. The Belles finished second in the MIAA after a 7-1 season in league play. Additionally, it is the third consecutive year at least one member of the program has earned All-MIAA recognition.

2017 All-MIAA Women's Lacrosse Honors
Most Valuable Player, Offense

Mary Singler, Saint Mary’s

Most Valuable Player, Defense
Emily Cefaratti, Calvin

Rookie of the Year
Mary Singler, Saint Mary’s

First Team All-MIAA
Cait Gaitley, Albion - Attack
Annie Rice, Adrian - Attack
Mary Singler, Saint Mary’s - Attack
Emily Cefaratti, Calvin - Midfielder
Shannon Kahl, Albion - Midfielder
Annika Nuler, Adrian - Midfielder
Clare Theisen, Saint Mary’s - Midfielder
Alexandra Webb, Hope - Midfielder
Madeline Baas, Calvin - Defense
Rachael Leonard, Saint Mary’s - Defense
Taylor Nelson, Albion - Defense
Katie Johnson, Kalamazoo - Goalie
Amanda Davio, Calvin - At-Large

Second Team All-MIAA
Erin Caton, Hope - Attack
Emily Deane, Hope - Attack
Kelly Pepper, Calvin - Attack
Nicole Huff, Kalamazoo - Midfielder
Darby Kahler, Alma - Midfielder
Kate Kelly, Saint Mary’s - Midfielder
Emma Verrett, Calvin - Midfielder
Lauren Wiegand, Albion - Midfielder
Mara Droppers, Hope - Defense
Audrey Park, Hope - Defense
Jaimie Van De Burg, Calvin - Defense
Allie Ray, Alma - Goalie
Amanda Moss, Kalamazoo - At-Large

Back to Stories