Pioneers Place Three on Women's Lacrosse All-NEC Teams
5/6/2021 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
SOMERSET, NJ – The Northeast Conference handed out its end of the year women's lacrosse awards on Thursday. A trio of Sacred Heart University players were on the list as Bella Beaton, Kerri Metzler and Claire McElhenny all earned Second-Team All-NEC honors.
A native of Merrimack, NH, Beaton was one of the top netminders in the conference. Named NEC Defensive Player of the Week on April 13, she ranks third in the conference with a 48.2 save percentage. Beaton also rates third with 10.23 saves per game and fifth with at 11.48 goals per game.
Metzler was one of the top set-up players in the league, handing out 1.62 assists per game to rate fourth. The Garden City, NY native led the Pioneers with 39 points, including 21 assists. Metzler scored a point in all 13 games this season, topped by a career-high eight against Bryant. Her goal, assist and point totals from this season were greater than her previous four seasons combined.
This season McElhenny helped anchor the Sacred Heart defense and will be the leader next season. The junior was tops on the squad with 2.58 ground balls per game, rating fifth in the NEC. A native of Davidsonville, Md., McElhenny is also amongst the league leaders in caused turnovers (6th – 1.17 per game) and draw controls (10th – 3.08 per game).
Head coach Laura Korutz will have to replace eight seniors next year, but does bring back Beaton and McElhenny plus two of her top three goal scorers.
