2012 All-CT Region girls lacrosse team

Meet the athletes who excelled during the 2012 girls lacrosse season. The awards were selected by MSG Varsity's staff of reporters and editor.

MSG Varsity: Connecticut Region girls lacrosse awards

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sarah Mannelly, New Canaan

The Boston College-bound senior midfielder was the only player from Connecticut selected to the MSG Varsity All-Metro team. A two-time first-team All-American and the Connecticut Player of the Year for 2012, Mannelly graduates as the school's all-time leader in assists, caused turnovers and draw controls. This season, she amassed 83 goals and 47 assists in leading the Rams to a 21-1 record highlighted by their second state title in three years.

COACH OF THE YEAR
Caitlin Keane, Greenwich

A former standout at Mahopac in N.Y., and then Fairfield University, the 27-year-old Keane has enjoyed quite a run during her short time as Cardinals coach. Keane guided Greenwich to a 20-3 record, including a trip to the FCIAC finals before a second straight victory in the CIAC Class L championship game.

TEAM OF THE YEAR
New Canaan

All the Rams did was compile a perfect 16-0 mark during the regular season in the toughest conference in the state. After falling to Darien in the FCIAC semifinals, New Canaan came back with a vengeance in the Class M tournament, knocking off the rival Blue Wave in the quarterfinals before eventually leaving no doubt about its standing as the state's No. 1 team with a 17-9 victory over Wilton in the finals.

All Connecticut Region: First team

ATTACK
Claire Feeney, Greenwich: A four-year starter and two-time All-State selection, Feeney racked up a team-high 97 goals to go along with 18 assists in helping the Cardinals to another Class L title. Feeney, a first-team All-American in 2012, will play at Winthrop.

Taylor Hardison, Darien: Just a junior, Hardison is already the all-time assists leader for the Blue Wave. Named first-team All-American, Hardison had a hat trick as Darien collected its league-best 11th FCIAC championship in a 17-14 win over Greenwich.

Olivia Hompe, New Canaan: Along with Mannelly, made up the state's most potent scoring duo. The first-team All-American scored 84 goals -- including nine in the state finals against Wilton -- and also had a team-best 50 draw controls. Hompe, a junior and already the state's all-time leading scorer in ice hockey, will play lacrosse at Princeton.

MIDFIELDERS
Emily Conway, Greenwich Academy: The Washington and Lee-bound first-team All-American totaled 58 goals, 39 assists, 42 groundballs and 40 draw controls as a senior. Conway also forced 40 turnovers, made 10 interceptions and finished her career with 109 goals.

Sarah Mannelly, New Canaan: Player of the Year

Sarah Nesi, Ludlowe: Named an Academic All American in 2011, the 5-foot-10 senior added first-team All-American to her list of achievements this spring. Nesi will play at Brown next season along with friend Maeve Flaherty, a standout middie from Staples High School.

Casey Pearsall, Wilton: In leading the Warriors to the Class M finals, Pearsall had 68 goals, 42 assists and over 100 draw controls on the season. Named an honorable mention All American last spring, Pearsall was first-team All-American this year. The junior has committed to play at Notre Dame.

DEFENSE
Mary Taussig, Greenwich Academy: The junior first-team All-American was frequently asked to lock down the other team's best offensive player, and consistently rose to the challenge. Taussig recorded 13 goals, 19 assists, 87 forced turnovers, 65 groundballs, 58 draw controls and 15 interceptions in helping the Gators to their 27th FAA title in 29 years.

Emily Tropsa, Darien: There was only one defender from a public school in Connecticut to make the U.S. Lacrosse first-team All-America team, and the Blue Wave senior was that player. Tropsa, a key cog in Darien's FCIAC title run, will continue her career at Gettysburg.

GOALIE
Liz O'Sullivan, New Canaan: The Stanford-bound junior earned first-team All-State and All-FCIAC honors, and was the last line of defense for a Rams squad that did not allow double digits during any game in the state tournament.

Second team

Jessie Ambrose, Sr., Attack, Staples
Kelly Armstrong, Jr., Defense, New Canaan
Sam Blicht, Senior, Defense, Wilton
Shannon Colligan, Senior, Midfielder, Greenwich
Ali Crofts, Sr., Midfield, Staples
Tori Dunster, Sr., Greenwich
Jena Fritts, Sr., Attack, Darien
Brynn Gasparino, Sr., Attack, Darien
Alli Sciarretta, Sr., Midfield, Convent of the Sacred Heart
Caylee Waters, Jr., Goalie, Darien
 

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