SDSU LACROSSE EARNS THREE ALL-MPSF HONORS

Hickey receives first-team recognition; Reeves, Lech garner second-team accolades

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Kristen Hickey courtesy goaztecs.com

April 26, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State lacrosse team landed three players on the all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation team Wednesday after senior midfielder Kristen Hickey (Dedham, Mass.) earned first-team honors, while senior goalkeeper Katrina Reeves (Granite Bay, Calif.) and junior defender Mackenzie Lech (Milton, Ga.) garnered second-team accolades.

With their selections, the Aztec trio collected their first career all-conference awards, giving SDSU three all-MPSF honorees in the same year for the third time in its six-year history.

One of the team’s most versatile and consistent performers during the 2017 campaign, Hickey leads the Aztecs with 31 goals, including a season-high four strikes in the opener against Denver. In addition, the SDSU tri-captain currently ranks fourth in the MPSF with 14 free position goals and is tied for fifth with 36 ground balls. She also occupies the seventh spot in the conference with 87 shots, while her 21 caused turnovers in tied for ninth. For the season, Hickey has scored at least one goal in 14 games, with multiple tallies in 10 contests. Earlier this year, Hickey was twice named MPSF Player of the Week, earning offensive distinction on Feb. 6 and defensive honors on March 27. She also moved into the top five on the school’s career list with 65 ground balls and 45 caused turnovers.

SDSU’s all-time leader with 384 saves and 150 ground balls, Reeves established an Aztec single-season record with a .433 save percentage, which ranks fourth among MPSF starting goalkeepers this year, to go with a 12.30 goals against average. She is also third conference this week with 46 ground balls, while her 22 caused turnovers is tied for sixth. Another one of SDSU’s tri-captains, Reeves collected MPSF Defensive Player of the Week honors on Feb. 27 after leading the Scarlet and Black to a pair of impressive road victories at Michigan and Detroit Mercy. She has also allowed nine or fewer goals in seven games while posting double-digit saves on six occasions.

A starter in all 16 games, Lech was a key contributor to an Aztec defense that finished 10th in the nation during the regular season with a conference-leading 11.44 caused turnovers per game. She currently ranks fourth in the MPSF with 37 ground balls, tops among SDSU field players, and is tied for 12th with 20 caused turnovers. In addition, Lech has collected multiple ground balls in 10 games, tying her career best with four on four different occasions. She also dished out an assist in the Aztecs’ 14-8 victory over Boston University on March 5.

San Diego State, which tied a program record with nine victories so far this year, will square off against Oregon in the quarterfinal round of the MPSF tournament on Thursday, beginning at 4 p.m. PT in Los Angeles, Calif.