Two WLAX Members Earn B1G Honors
Apr 29 | Women's Lacrosse
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Redshirt senior midfielder Lauren Sbrilli (Martinsville, N.J.) and senior attacker Melissa Arthur (Marlton, N.J.) were recognized Wednesday as postseason honorees by the Big Ten Conference. Sbrilli was named All-Big Ten for her second consecutive appearance on an all-conference squad, while Arthur was tabbed Rutgers' Sportsmanship Award winner.
"I'm really proud of Lauren. In a season filled with ups and downs, Lauren was consistently accountable for her own performance while being a great mentor on a young team," said head coach Laura Brand-Sias. "This honor does not surprise me. She is extremely deserving."
Sbrilli, a First Team All-BIG EAST and Second Team IWLCA All-Mid Atlantic selection in 2014, started all 17 games at midfield for Rutgers this season while pacing the Scarlet Knights on the offensive end. The Bridgewater-Raritan HS product enjoyed a career season with highs in goals (35), shots (93), shots on goal (71), player-up goals (3), ground balls (23), caused turnovers (12) and draw controls (24).
Sbrilli recorded 12 multi-goal games in 2015, including four games of three or more goals. Her season-high output came against No. 15/17 James Madison on March 14, when she scored five goals on 10 shots. The stellar performance tied her career single-game goals output.
Arthur has started seven games this season and leads RU with 16 assists. Against UConn on March 7, Arthur set a new career-high with four helpers, also scoring a goal for the first five-point game of her career.
Arthur is actively involved with community service efforts and heads Rutgers' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which promotes career and personal development among student-athletes as well as civic engagement and networking.
"Melissa is such an impressive representation of our program. She excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community," Brand-Sias said. "She consistently brings a positive attitude and I couldn't be more proud to coach her every day."
Rutgers is set to host the 2015 Big Ten Women's Lacrosse Tournament from Thursday, April 30 -- Sunday, May 3 at High Point Solutions Stadium. It marks the inaugural Big Ten Women's Lacrosse Tournament and the first Big Ten tournament hosted by Rutgers University.
The No. 5 Scarlet Knights take on No. 4 seed Ohio State Thursday in the second quarterfinal matchup. For more information on the tournament, including ticket, broadcast and travel information, visit the Tournament Central Page.
2015 WOMEN'S LACROSSE ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
All-Big Ten Team
BROOKE GRIFFIN, A, Maryland
SELENA LASOTA, A, Northwestern
MAGGIE MCCORMICK, A, Penn State
TAYLOR CUMMINGS, M, Maryland
Zoe Stukenberg, M, Maryland
TATUM COFFEY, M, Penn State
MEGAN DOUTY, D, Maryland
ALICE MERCER, D, Maryland
ABBY SMUCKER, D, Penn State
Alex Fitzpatrick, G, Maryland
Megan Whittle, Maryland
CASEY PEPPERMAN, Maryland
Sheila Nesselbush, Northwestern
Katie Chase, Ohio State
Jackie Cifarelli, Ohio State
Taylor Donahue, Ohio State
Jennifer Porretto, Ohio State
Madison Cyr, Penn State
Emi Smith, Penn State
Lauren Sbrilli, Rutgers
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
Sportsmanship Award Honorees:
Casey Pepperman, Sr., Maryland
Sophie duPhily, So., Michigan
Brooke Jones, Sr., Northwestern
Mary Kate Facchina, Sr., Ohio State
Maggie McCormick, Sr., Penn State
Melissa Arthur, Sr., Rutgers
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's lacrosse, follow the program Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram @RULaxBrand. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
