GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has officially announced their 2016-2017 women's lacrosse award winners. Davenport finished in a tie for regular season champions with Lawrence Tech University. Both teams had a 13-1 conference record and their only conference loss was against each other. The Panthers had 10 different players that will receive an award from the WHAC, including four players on the first team all-conference.
 
Senior Brooke Knoll earned a spot on the all-conference first team for the second straight season. She was named to an all-conference team for all four years that she has played for Davenport.
 
"Brooke is one of the most complete players I have ever coached," said head coach Rob Harris.  "Her vision for the game is at the level of college coaches and her work ethic is second to none. She wants to win, and does not care who gets the credit. She is the best attacker in the conference, probably the country."
 
Knoll leads the team in goals (85) and game winning goals (5) this season. She also leads the conference in goals per game (5.31) and game winning goals per game (0.31). She scored eight goals on March 25 and surpassed the 200-career goals milestone. Knoll also scored seven goals on April 15 and became the school's all-time leader in career points; she currently sits at 311 points.
 
Jessica Lemcke was the second Davenport attacker named to the all-conference first team. This is her third time being named to the first team and was an all-conference honorable mention during her sophomore season.
 
"Lemcke is the workhorse on the team." stated Coach Harris.  "In the weight room, on the field, or in the classroom, Jess wants to be the best. I have never seen anyone work harder for his or her goals. No wonder she and Brooke have worked with each other all year to help drive our team to success."
 
Lemcke is second on the team in goals (78), third in points (95), third in ground balls (35) and second in caused turnovers (23) this season. She is right behind Knoll in goals per game (4.88) and led the league in shots per game (8.63). On March 19 Lemcke surpassed the 200–career goals milestone and broke the school record for most goals in a game (10).
 
The third and final attacker that received all-conference first team honors is senior Tara Pluger. This is the first time in her career being named a first team all-conference member and the second time being named to a WHAC all-conference team.
 
"Not many people give Tara the credit she deserves." expressed Coach Harris.  "If she is on, no one will stop her passes from getting where they needs to go. She is the glue to this offense. Teams have tried to stop her, but her never quit attitude has made that impossible."
 
Pluger leads the team, conference and nation in total assists this season with 66. She doubled the total (33) of the next closest player in the national rankings. She also leads the team and conference in points as well. Her 102 points this season ranks second best in the nation.
 
The fourth Panther named to the all-conference first team is freshman Ryann Deuel. She was the only defender to represent DU on the first team this season and has done an exceptional job with draw controls.
 
"Ryann is easily the best newcomer in the conference." Stated Coach Harris. "Her 150 draw controls, 23 caused turnovers and 36 ground balls is proof that this defender is the best in the conference. Often overlooked, Ryann's value to this team has been felt in every game this year."
 
Ryann led the Panthers in draw controls this season with 150. That mark also broke the school record for most draw controls won in a single season. She crushed everyone in the conference and the whole nation with her extremely high mark. The next closest player in the nation is 41 draw controls away from Deuel. Not only did she dominate in draw controls, but she is second on the team in ground balls (36) and second in caused turnovers (23).
 
Freshman Taylor Ries is one of four Davenport players named to the all-conference second team this season. This is her first time being named to an-all conference team. She is the only attacker representing DU on the second team.
 
"No freshman attacker has done more for her team than Taylor." says Coach Harris.  "She is third in the conference behind Brooke and Jess, on goals. For a freshman to come in and have 75 goals and 21 assists along the three best attackers in the country is beyond amazing. Taylor did not get enough credit this year, but she has done more than we have asked of her!
 
Ries is third on the team in goals (75), third in assists (21) and second in total points (96). Did we mention that she is only freshman?! She is on pace to have the potential to break some of the records that Lemcke and Knoll have established here at Davenport. She ranks fifth in the nation with her 75 goals and fourth with her 96 total points.

The only midfielder named to an all-conference team for DU is Amber Livingston. She was named to the second team all-conference for the second straight year.

"Amber moved from Attack to Midfield this year and has really stepped up." stated Coach Harris.  "Most attackers loath the idea of that, but she wanted to do what her teams needs of her. Even though she has less stats, she has never had more value to this team."

She finished with 17 goals and eight assists on the year, along with 21 ground balls.
 
Madison Francis and Maeve Sweeney round out the last two Panthers named to the second team all-conference. This is the first time that either of the two have been named to an all-conference team.
 
"Maeve is the player you want on your team." expressed Coach Harris.  "She never complains about anything and will give 100% until the final buzzer. She loves to get the ball back and is willing to take a chance to do so. She is a coach's dream, and would be a starter on any team in the country."
 
Sweeney leads the Panthers in ground balls (38) and caused turnovers (33) this season. Her 33 caused turnovers are third in the conference.
 
"No one, but the coaches and players at DU, understand the value of Madison." stated Coach Harris.  "She puts in extra work out of practice to make it look so easy on the field. She is a ground ball magnet, and loves to double the ball and take it away. She will never complain to anyone at any time if things do not go her way."
 
She currently is in the top-10 for career caused turnovers at Davenport with her 38 over the three years.
 
Five players were named to the WHAC All-Academic Team, Alyssa Harbottle, Knoll, Lemcke, Sweeney and Francis. You must be a junior or above in academic standing, with at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA to be recognized.
 
Lastly, freshman Mackenzie Maschke was named DU's champions of character representative. This is given to the player on each team that best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Graphic by: Devin Steiner