Rachel Clark Named ACC Freshman of the Year

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia women’s lacrosse’s Rachel Clark was named the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, the league office announced on Tuesday (May 10).

Clark is Virginia’s first ACC Freshman of the Year winner since 2017, when Sammy Mueller earned the distinction. She joined Jamie Ortega (Attacker of the Year), Ally Mastroianni (Midfielder of the Year), Emma Trenchard (Defender of the Year) and Jenny Levy (Coach of the Year) as 2022 ACC award winners. The awards were selected following a vote of the league’s nine head coaches.

Clark was the lone student-athlete to earn spots on both the All-ACC First Team and All-Freshman Team this season. She also earned a spot on the ACC All-Tournament Team. Clark led all ACC freshmen and tied for third in the league in goals per game at 3.33. She has 60 goals, tied for fourth most in the league.

Virginia begins play in the 2022 NCAA Championship on Friday, May 13 when it plays USC at 5 p.m. in Chapel Hill, N.C. The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the NCAA Second Round to face 1-seed North Carolina on Sunday, May 15 at noon.

2022 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Awards

Attacker of Year – Jamie Ortega, Gr., A, North Carolina

Midfielder of Year – Ally Mastroianni, Gr., M, North Carolina

Defender of Year – Emma Trenchard, Gr., G, North Carolina

Freshman of Year – Rachel Clark, A, Virginia

Coach of Year – Jenny Levy, North Carolina