BOSTON, Mass. – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its All-Conference selections in women's lacrosse and two Mount Holyoke College student-athletes were recognized. Kirsten Kilburn was named to the First Team, while Julia Bell was selected for Second Team honors. It marks the fourth straight honor for Kilburn and the third for Bell.
A senior captain and midfielder out of North Branford, Conn., Kilburn recorded a team-best 48 goals, adding seven assists for 55 points. She went a team-high 14-26 from the free position, while adding squad-best numbers in ground balls (57), draw controls (76) and caused turnovers (36). Additionally, she posted 93 shots on the season, including 72 on goal.
Kilburn leads the NEWMAC in a number of categories, including draw controls and caused turnovers. She also ranks third in the conference in free position goals and ground balls, while sitting fifth in goals amongst the NEWMAC leaders. This year's recognition marks the fourth straight honor for Kilburn, who was named to the First Team as a junior and a first year, while garnering Second Team honors as a sophomore.
One of the most decorated players in Mount Holyoke history, Kilburn played in 62 career games. A starter in 61 contests, she recorded 196 goals with 28 assists for 224 career points, becoming just the fifth player in program history to reach 200 career points. Of her 196 goals, 56 came on the free position (56-109). Additionally, she added 174 ground balls, 349 draw controls and 89 caused turnovers. Kilburn also recorded 414 shots in her career, 307 of which were on goal.
The former North Branford High School standout ranks second all-time in program history for career goals and caused turnovers. Kilburn also sits third in program history in career ground balls and points. She is the program's all-time career leader in draw controls and also owns the record for draw controls in a game (17).
Bell, a junior attack from Longmeadow, Mass., was a starter in 12 games this season. She finished the season ranked third on the team in scoring with 35 goals and 15 assists for 50 points. Four of her tallies came on the free position (4-17), while also adding 12 ground balls, 26 draw controls and three caused turnovers. Bell also posted 76 shots, including 58 on goal.
The former Wilbraham & Monson Academy graduate is currently ranked 11th in the NEWMAC in assists, while also sitting 13th among the conference leaders in both goals and points. She became the fourth player in school history to reach 200 career points during the 2015 season and now has 164 goals with 65 assists for 229 points over 45 career games. This is the third straight NEWMAC honor for Bell, who was a First Team honoree as a first year and a sophomore.
Mount Holyoke finished the season with a 6-10 record, going 3-5 in the NEWMAC. The Lyons played in the Quarterfinals of the NEWMAC Tournament, falling to Wellesley on the road. It was the 20th time in the last 22 years that MHC has played in the NEWMAC Playoffs.
