thanks to Coach Buikus for this press release   4/23/15 BELLEVILLE, Illinois – -,The National Women’s Lacrosse League announced Wednesday night the 2015 All – Americans and Academic All – Americans at the National Championship Banquet.,Ave Maria University’s Lydia Buckley (Saint Louis, Mo.) and Abby Castro (Miami, Fla.),,have been named Honorable-Mention All-Americans by the National Women’s Lacrosse League for their efforts during the Gyrene’s inaugural season in 2015. , Buckley played and started in all 13 contests at attack for the Lady Gyrenes. Buckley has ,tallied 21 goals, three assists, and 24 points for AMU., She recorded five points and the game winning goal in the double time sudden death victory over LaGrange. Buckley finished the season sixth in draw controls in the NWLL with 37; including a career high 11 draw controls against Davenport., Buckley was also named an Academic All-American for her work in the classroom. Castro played and started in all 13 games this season. The sophomore finished the season with 14 goals and a team high five assists. She also led AMU with 20 caused turnovers. Castro had her best game against Truett –  McConnell where she tallied three goals and three assists. She also scored the game winning goal against St. Andrews. “I am so proud of both Abby and Lydia for all they have accomplished this season. They both have such a strong work ethic and deserve all the accolades they have received this season. Lydia was our go to on attack and often times our play maker. In a tight game, we wanted the ball in her stick as she could make things happen. She did a phenomenal job for us on the draw. Abby is a gritty, in your face defender and her competitiveness is something that you can’t teach. Her intensity in the midfield and her pursuit of the ball kept us in a lot of games”, said head coach Kelly Buikus. Below are the NWLL All-American Teams: , NWLL First Team All – American: Kayla Nelson (SCAD), Merrisa Heraldson (Georgetown), Jasmine Hickman (Tenn. Wesleyan), Lauren Murray (MBU), Alexandra Burns (Aquinas), Ashley Collins (Lawrence Tech), Kendra Blackstock (Columbia), Bea Cameron (Georgetown), Mary Prunte (Robert Morris), Alyssa Shaver (Lawrence Tech), Taylor Balch (Davenport), Jenny Danko (SCAD). NWLL Second Team All – American: Lauren Bruun – Bryant (Georgetown), Alyssa Stetson (SCAD), Kelsey Zurweller (MBU), Terra Ringo (Robert Morris), Kaitlyn Lowden (Davenport), Kadijah Kalo (Lawrence Tech), Alyssa Long (Lourdes), Nicki Caputo (Reinhardt), Mary Kate Minick (Reinhardt), Sam Sellers (Robert Morris), Sam Vikstrom (Indiana Tech), Doreen Brabble (Georgetown). Honorable Mention All – American: Shannon Flaherty (SCAD), Tiffany Tortorello (Columbia), Alexandria Tucker (Point), Kailee McDonald (Reinhardt), Kaysie Smith (Georgetown), Sarah Hill (Midland), Lydia Buckley (Ave Maria), Abby Castro (Ave Maria), Taylor Barganier (Tenn. Wesleyan), Hannah Crosby (Aquinas), Alexa Winter (Indiana Tech), Tabitha Ferguson (Siena Heights). Academic All – American:,Emily Joslin (Oklahoma Baptist), Sara Kuzava (Davenport), Lauren Allard (Indiana Tech), Emily Bell (Indiana Tech), Nicole Price (Indiana Tech), Charlotte Cutts (SCAD), Jennifer Danko (SCAD), Shaina Levin (SCAD), Mary Prunte (Robert Morris), Terra Ringo (Robert Morris), Anna Schaefer (Robert Morris), Emily Bernard (Robert Morris), Lindsey Woosley (Georgetown), Sarah Hill (Midland), Jordan Westbrook (Truett – McConnell), Taylor Dorsey (Truett – McConnell), Lyndsey Thorne (Truett – McConnell), Brooke Haley (Reinhardt), Nicki Caputo (Reinhardt), Brittany Burkhart (St. Andrews), Jessica Griffith (St. Andrews), Sydney VanHoose (Siena Heights), Lydia Buckley (Ave Maria), Nandi Person (MBU).   Kelly Buikus Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach Ave Maria University 239-304-7391 – office 860-539-0633 – cell www.twitter.com/gyrenelacrosse