SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its weekly awards and Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Julia Bell has been recognized. The sophomore attacker was named the Offensive Performer of the Week after posting 15 goals over two games last week.
A native of Longmeadow, Mass., Bell tallied a team-high 15 goals over two games, adding a team-best three assists to go along with 27 shots (24 on goal), five ground balls and 10 draw controls. In an 18-9 victory over Smith, she notched a game-best nine goals with an assist, contributing three ground balls and six draw controls.
Bell then added six goals with a pair of assists in a narrow 22-19 loss at MIT to close out the weekend. Against the Engineers, she had two ground balls and four draw controls while seeing eight of her nine shots in the game go on goal.
A starter in all 15 games this season, Bell leads the team with 70 goals, adding 23 assists with a team-best 93 points. She has recorded 140 shots, including 115 on goal, while chipping in with 28 ground balls, 38 draw controls and 20 caused turnovers. Additionally, Bell owns a team-high three game-winning tallies with 12 of her markers coming on the free position.
The former Wilbraham & Monson Academy graduate also leads the NEWMAC in a number of categories. She is currently the conference leader in goals, holding a 15 goal advantage over the next closest scorer (currently teammate Kirsten Kilburn – 65). She also leads the NEWMAC in points, owning a 22-point edge over the next closest competitor (also Kilburn – 71). Bell is also the NEWMAC leader in shots on goal.
Bell has recorded four or more goals in nine games, including six or more in five. Additionally, she has reached double-figures in points over three games.
Last season, Bell earned NEWMAC Rookie of the Year honors after recording a team and conference-high 85 points on 58 goals and 27 assists. A starter in all 17 games, she also boasted a team-best 18 caused turnovers to go along with 26 ground balls and 53 draw controls. In addition to top rookie honors, Bell was also named to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team and was an IWLCA Berkshire All-Region Second Team selection.
Mount Holyoke earned the fifth-seed in the upcoming NEWMAC Tournament. The Lyons will travel to fourth-seeded MIT on Wednesday for a Quarterfinal matchup at 7pm.
