University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Ranked #21 in Final IWLCA National Poll
6/1/2021 1:21:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn women's lacrosse team cracked the final IWLCA Coaches' Poll for the 2021 season released on Tuesday, coming in at No. 21 in the top-25 rankings. It is the Huskies first appearance in the polls this season. The final poll was released following the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament this past weekend that saw Boston College claim it's first national title to land at the top of the poll.
UConn enjoyed one of the program's best seasons in Storrs this spring. Under the guidance of head coach Katie Woods and her staff, the Huskies posted a 12-7 overall record and earned the second NCAA Tournament berth in program history. She led UConn to a 7-3 record in their return to the BIG EAST, good for a second place finish while earning BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year honors. The Huskies advanced to the championship game for the second time in team history before falling to Denver but were rewarded for an outstanding season with an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they matched up with nationally ranked Virginia in the opening round.
The Huskies were one of the top-scoring offenses in the country, averaging 14.37 goals per game to rank 21st nationally. They were 15th in the country in shot percentage (.480) and were also one of the best teams nationally on the draw, winning 15.05 per game to rank 18th. Senior Sydney Watson (Prince Fredrick, Md.) finished 21st in the country with 56 goals scored and led the way on draws, winning 8.00 per game to rank ninth. Junior attacker Lia LaPrise (Windsor, Conn.) was 15th in the nation with 41 assists and her 78 points ranked her 21st.
UConn set new school team records in 2021 for goals scored (273), points (375), shots (569) and draw controls (286)
On the defensive side, the Huskies were 20th in the NCAA in caused turnovers per game at 9.58 per game. Their goaltending was some of the best in the country as well, ranking 25th as a team in save percentage (.459) while junior goaltender Landyn White (Alpharetta, Ga.) was third in the country with 167 saves.
UConn's Watson was tabbed the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year and led a contingent of eight Huskies who garnered All-BIG EAST honors. She also was named one of the 25 candidates for the 2021 Tewaarton Award, and was named an InsideLacrosse.com 2021 ILWomen's Division I Media All-Americans and a USA Lacrosse Magazine All-American.Â
Watson along with LaPrise, White, junior Grace Coon (Marcellus, N.Y.) and sophomore Ariana Kline (Reading, Pa.) were named IWLCA All-Region selections, matching the previous program high of five all-region players set in 2016.
The Huskies season kick-started after beating UAlbany in early March that led into knocking off No. 22 nationally ranked UMass in overtime, both at home. UConn closed the regular season by sweeping Georgetown at home then going down to Washington, D.C. for the conference tournament and beating the Hoyas a third-straight time in the BIG EAST semifinal. The playoff win tied the UConn school record for wins in a season at 12 (2016, 2005). The Huskies' seven BIG EAST wins set a new school record.
