Three Cavaliers Named to All-ACC Academic Team

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s lacrosse team placed three Cavaliers on the 2009 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Women’s Lacrosse Team, as announced today by Commissioner John D. Swofford. Senior Katie Shannon and freshmen Julie Gardner and Josie Owen were all named to the academic all-conference team.

Shannon started all but one game for the Cavaliers this spring. A defender from Downingtown, Pa., Shannon was second on the team in draw controls and caused turnovers and dished out two assists. A graduate of Virginia’s nursing program, Shannon spent her final year with the prestigious honor of living on the Lawn at UVa and was awarded the athletics department’s Jettie Hill Memorial Award as the senior female student-athlete with the highest scholastic average through her four years at UVa.

Gardner, a native of Severna Park, Md., started all 19 games for the Cavaliers, tallying 18 goals and two assists. Gardner was credited with three game-winning goals, including one in overtime to secure Virginia’s come-from-behind victory over Penn State. The midfielder also scooped up 16 ground balls, while winning 10 draw controls and causing nine turnovers.

Owen, playing in 18 contests, scored six goals and dished out 10 assists on the season. An attacker from Gibson Island, Md., Owen made her first collegiate start in the season opener, tallying three goals. She also collected seven ground balls and six draw controls on the season.

Seven student-athletes who earned all-conference honors this past season secured spots on the academic team, while all six ACC programs were represented on the squad. To be eligible for consideration for the All-ACC Academic team, a student-athlete, regardless of classification, must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during her academic career.