NEW YORK – For the third straight season, Villanova women's lacrosse placed at least five players on the All-BIG EAST teams, earning a league-high eight selections to the 2025 all-conference squad.
Sophomore draw specialist Emma Verhoest was the lone Wildcat unanimously named to the All-BIG EAST First Team while seniors Sami Carey and Maddy Stoddard and sophomore midfielder Rose Christie all were named to the First Team as well.
In addition, Cate Gallagher, Leslie Iorio, Sydney Pappas and Elena Torres were each selected to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, the first career honor for all three except Pappas.
Verhoest was the lone draw specialist named to the all-conference squads, earning a unanimous selection by tallying a program record 165 draws this season for a per-game average over 10. The sophomore won three BIG EAST weekly awards this season, leading the league in draws per game and ranking eighth in the country for the stat.
Carey picked up the third All-BIG EAST nod of her career but the only First Team selection in her stellar four years on the Main Line. The New York native set the program's all-time and single season assist records with 47 helpers this year, adding 22 goals on the way to a team-best 69 points.
Stoddard received her second straight All-BIG EAST laurel, receiving mention on the First Team to follow up a second team berth in 2024. VU's defensive leader, Stoddard accumulated 18 ground balls and doubled last year's caused turnover total with 18 this year in addition to a critical role in both the zone and man-to-man defenses.
The final First Team selection was Christie, earning her first career BIG EAST laurel after a strong sophomore year. A key component of Villanova's attack, defense and draw unit as a starting midfielder, Christie scored 16 goals while totaling 17 ground balls, nine caused turnovers and 21 draw controls.
Gallagher was named to her first all-conference list with a Second Team nod after pacing the league in goals against average, totaling a 7-3 record and 73 saves on the year. A team captain and vocal leader, the Chatham product played a career-high 600 minutes in goal this year with a .424 save percentage.
A three-time conference Freshman of the Week, Iorio picked up an All-BIG EAST honor in her freshman season after leading all Villanova midfielders in goals (26) and points (30). The California native started all but one game in her debut season at VU while controlling 20 draws on the year.
Pappas earned her third straight All-BIG EAST accolade after setting the program record for goals in a career, leading the squad with 41 tallies. The former BIG EAST Attacker of the Year now ranks second for all-time points at Villanova.
Torres was the final Wildcat mentioned on the all-conference teams after a breakout year, scoring 28 goals and adding 10 assists to rank third on the team in points. The redshirt sophomore scored a VU-best 12 free position goals, now ranking second in program history.
Villanova will compete in the BIG EAST Semifinals on Thursday afternoon for the third year in a row, taking on the #3 seed Connecticut Huskies in the second semifinal at 4:00 p.m. from Villanova Stadium.
2025 BIG EAST Women's Lacrosse Awards
BIG EAST Attacker of the Year
Lauren Black, Denver, Sr., A
BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year
Hanna Bodner, Marquette, Sr., M
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Abby Beran, Connecticut, So., D
BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Emelia Bohi, Denver, Sr., GK
BIG EAST Freshman of the Year
Sophia Loschert, Georgetown, Fr., A
BIG EAST Co-Coaching Staffs of the Year
Denver and Georgetown
All-BIG EAST First Team
Abby Beran, Connecticut, So., D*
Riley Daly, Connecticut, Sr., D*
Rayea Davis, Connecticut, R-Jr., A
Lauren Black, Denver, Sr., A*
Emelia Bohi, Denver, Sr., GK
Sarah Pokorny, Denver, Sr., D*
Olivia Ripple, Denver, So., A
Lily Athanas, Georgetown, Sr., D
Gracie Driggs, Georgetown, Jr., A
Maley Starr, Georgetown, Sr., M
Meg Bireley, Marquette, Sr., A
Hanna Bodner, Marquette, Sr., M*
Sami Carey, Villanova, Sr., A
Rose Christie, Villanova, So., M
Maddy Stoddard, Villanova, Sr., D
Emma Verhoest, Villanova, So., DC *
All-BIG EAST Second Team^
Tori Cini, Connecticut, Gr., GK
Jenna Giardina, Connecticut, Gr., A
Meghan Lane, Connecticut, Gr., D
Caroline Colimore, Denver, Sr., M
Alex Dorr, Denver, R-Fr., DC
Megan Klingenberg, Denver, Jr., D
Maddie Montgomery, Denver, Gr., D
Hanna Bishop, Georgetown, Gr., A
Lauren Grady, Marquette, So., M
Tess Osburn, Marquette, Jr., A
Mary Velner, Marquette, So., D
Cate Gallagher, Villanova, Sr., GK
Leslie Iorio, Villanova, Fr., M
Sydney Pappas, Villanova, Sr., A
Elena Torres, Villanova, R-So., A
Machaela Henry, Xavier, So., M
Lola Mancuso, Xavier, Jr., A
*denotes unanimous selection
^extra player added due to tie in voting
