May 29, 2009

CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md.—The Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team had four of its own honored by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division I All-Regional teams on Thursday.  Jenna Martino notched First Team honors, while Suzy Herlihy, Abby Renninger and Helene Tursi got Second Team billing for the Mid-Atlantic Region.  

Martino, the new single-season record holder of goals, points and shots, had a career year with 57 goals, 19 assists and 76 points, all team highs.  She was also an Atlantic 10 First Team and A-10 All-Championship Team selection in addition to being captain and the team's Coaches' Award recipient.  Martino was the lone A-10 representative on any regional First Team squad.

Renninger, recently named as a Division I North-South Senior Game participant, joined Herlihy and Tursi on the Mid-Atlantic Second Team.  Renninger, a defender, was third all-time in caused turnovers at SJU with 61 while adding 38 goals, 22 assists and 85 ground balls in three years on Hawk Hill.  She, like Martino, was an A-10 First Team and All-Championship Team member.

Herlihy was named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year in addition to being an A-10 First Team and All-Championship Team selection.  The senior goalkeeper posted an 8.97 GAA and .511 save percentage in three years at SJU.  Her outstanding 2009 campaign included a league-best 8.77 GAA and .513 save percentage, while going 10-8.  Herlihy is the career leader in wins (24) at Saint Joseph's.

Tursi had a breakout season en route to her Mid-Atlantic Region honor.  The senior midfielder, converted from a three-year attacker, was second on the team in goals (37) and points (44). She started and played in all 18 games and was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year and team's Most Valuable Player.  Additionally, Tursi was also an A-10 First Team and All-Championship honoree.

In all, 128 student-athletes were named to four regional squads from the Northeast, South, West/Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.  This is the first time SJU has ever had any Regional honors from the IWLCA since the program's inception in 1993.  

Renninger is also Saint Joseph's first participant in the North-South Senior Game, capping a historic year that saw the Hawks reach the A-10 Championship Title Game and set new records for wins (10), games played (18), goals (207), points (285) and shots (538).