FAIRFAX, Va.-- Six freshman will join the women's lacrosse team head coach Jessy Morgan announced. This is Morgan's first full class after taking over the program in the fall of 2014. In her first year as Mason's head coach, the Patriots made it to the Atlantic 10 tournament for the first time in school history, finishing the season with an overall record of 10-7.
“We have a small yet mighty incoming class. We are expecting for several of them to make an immediate impact for us on the field,” Morgan said. ”They are all excellent students academically and will fit right into our system here. We graduated a senior class in which every member started, so we are looking for our returning players to improve and to give these younger players lots of instruction and opportunity. Our expectation is to be a much stronger team than last year. “
Elizabeth Benedetto (Goal Keeper, 5'9”, Fairfax, Va.)
“Liz is a great competitor we love her versatility and range as a goalie,” Morgan said. “We are so eager to have an athlete with such presence in the goal for us.”
Benedetto earned a total of six letters while at W.T. Woodson High School, earning four in lacrosse and two in field hockey. As the primary goalkeeper, she helped the Cavaliers to the Patriot Conference Varsity Lacrosse Championship in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Earned numerous awards and honors throughout her career including. After recording 142 saves with a 56.57% as a senior she was named Patriot League Player of the Year, W.T. Woodson Female Athlete of the Year. She was named to the First Team All-Conference, VHSL 6A All-State, VHSL All-Region and NRWLCA 6A/5A North All-Region as well as the Washington Post All-Met Second team. Earned First Team All-Conference following her junior season and was named the 2013 W.T. Woodson Varsity Lacrosse MVP. Also earned recognition in field hockey, where she was named First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Region and to the Virginia State High School Field Hockey All-Star team in 2014. As a well-rounded student, Benedetto earned the scholar-athlete award in 2012, 2013 and 2015 and earned a varsity letter in academic achievement in 2014.
Amber Harlow (Defense, 5'3”, South Riding, Va.)
“Amber is a strong runner that has a sixth gear,” Morgan said. “I see her speed being an asset in our transition game. “
Harlow earned four letters while at Freedom High School including three in lacrosse and one in marching band. Also participated in cross-country and track and field for a year each. While at Freedom, Harlow was named the All-District Team, All-Regional Team and Brine All-American (DC). Also, she competed for the SuperNoVa Select Club Lacrosse team for three years. Harlow was named an AP Scholar and earned a varsity academic letter all four years at Freedom High. She plans to major in Video Game Design.
Kathryn “Chachi” Kelehan (Attack, 5'7”, Ellicott City, Md.)
“Chachi was a premier high school player,” Morgan said. “She has a great nose for the ball and will add a different dimension to our attack. “
Kelehan earned eight varsity letters at Mount Hebron High School, lettering in lacrosse all four years and earning two each in field hockey and soccer. While with the Vikings, Kelehan was named First Team All-County as an attack in 2015 after recording 37 goals and 16 assists while causing eight turnovers and snagging 20 ground balls. As a junior, she was named to the 2014 First Team All-County as a midfielder after recording 46 goals and 16 assists while causing 18 turnovers and snagging 40 ground balls and 22 draw controls. Earned recognition as the Most Valuable Teammate in 2015. Also earned recognition in field hockey as the Most Valuable Player. Played club lacrosse with the Lacrosse M&D Black team for six years. She was a member of the National Honors Society and was named a 2015 Academic All-American after earning a spot on the Honor Roll each year from 2011-2015.
Dana Phillips (Defense, 5'8”, Bowie, Md.)
“Dana has both size and speed in addition to being a natural leader with a strong IQ,” Morgan said. “Dana will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Phillips earned five varsity letters while at Elizabeth Seton High School including four in lacrosse and one in cross-country. Phillips earned recognition during her career, earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team in 2014 and Honorable Mention in 2012 and 2013. She also received the Coach's Award in 2013. Played club lacrosse for Maryland United and was selected to the US Lacrosse DC Metro team 5 in 2013 and attended the Northstar Invitational in 2014.
Rachel Woods (Defense, 5'6”, Longmeadow, Ma.)
“Rachel comes from a successful high school program and we hope to build on that success here at Mason,” Morgan said. “She has great energy and instincts as a defender and has the potential to really play all over the field. “
Woods earned seven varsity letters at Longmeadow High School in Massachusetts, four in lacrosse and three in track and field. Was team captain in her senior year, earning All-Western Mass, All-League, Postseason Super 7 and All-State recognition. Earned All-Western and All-League recognition as a junior. Also played for the Western Mass Club team (2009), NED Lacrosse Club (2010-11) and the LaxPlus Lacrosse Club (2011-15). Earned the Business Technology Leadership Award at Longmeadow High School.
