Three Cavaliers Honored as USWLA All-Americans

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May 26, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Kerri Whitaker, the chair of the United States Women’s Lacrosse Association All-American committee, announced the All-American teams today. Three Cavaliers were named to the three teams, including two selections to the first team. Named to the first team were senior captains Kara Ariza (Lansdowne, Pa./Penn Wood) and Peggy Boutilier (Baltimore, Md/Roland Park Country). Junior midfielder Samm Taylor (Springfield, Va./Robinson) was named to the honorable mention squad. All three players are invited to the national team tryouts which will take place in Baltimore on May 30-31.

Boutilier, a senior from Baltimore, Maryland, led the Cavaliers in goals scored (37) and ground ball pickups (79). Although she is primarily a defensive player, having been named the National Defensive Player of the Year in 1997, Boutilier exploded offensively this year, scoring a career-high 37 goals. Boutilier has also recorded two games in which she has scored a career-high five goals, including against then-#2 and undefeated Princeton and then-#6 James Madison. Her 42 points on the season is a career high. Boutilier did not lose any of her defensive prowess as she still anchored a Cavalier defense that ranked first in the county in scoring defense, allowing only 6.00 goals per game.

Boutilier also ranks third at Virginia in caused turnovers and draw controls. Her selection to the All-Conference team was her second such selection in the two years the conference has sponsored a team. She set a school record with her 71st consecutive start in the national championship, which is also the record for most games played in a career. She already holds the record for consecutive starts and games played in field hockey with 88. She was also a first-team All-American in 1997.

Ariza, a member of the United States national lacrosse team, also made her second appearance on the first-team All-American squad. Ariza ranks in the top five of all statistical categories for the Cavaliers in 1998, including second in goals, ground balls, and caused turnovers. She had five game-winning goals on the season and has notched three hat tricks while leading Virginia in scoring in five games. She was also a part of the nation’s top-rated defense and plays a pivotal role in helping Virginia have the conference’s top scoring margin. She was also an IWLCA First-team All-American in 1997. She shares the 71 games played record with Boutilier.

Taylor is making her first appearance on the USWLA All-American team. She leads the Cavaliers in caused turnovers with 56 (2.8 per game) and 39 draw controls (1.95 per game). Her 13 goals and 7 assists this season are both career highs. She was a member of the first team All-South squad.