ATLANTA– Following a strong season in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA), six members of the Oglethorpe women's lacrosse team were recognized with all-conference honors, highlighted by Madelyn Gardner earning co-goalkeeper of the year.
Gardner made history by becoming the first Stormy Petrel to win one of the conference's major awards.
All-Conference Honors
Gardner anchored the Petrels between the pipes this season, earning SAA goalkeeper of the year honors while also being named to the All-Conference first team. Gardner finished among the top goalkeepers in the conference, ranking in the top two in both total saves and save percentage. Her consistency in net provided a steady backbone for Oglethorpe's defense, as she routinely came up with key stops to keep the Petrels competitive in conference play.
Ellis Mitchum earned All-Conference first team recognition after a standout season in the midfield, playing a critical two-way role for Oglethorpe. Mitchum's ability to impact the game offensively while also contributing defensively helped the Petrels control possession and create opportunities throughout the season. She led the team with 34 goals, one of three players to reach 30 this season, ranking seventh in the conference in that category while also tallying 12 assists.
Also on the offensive end, Mariah Butler and Anna Conza were both named to the All-Conference second team after helping lead the Petrels' attack. The duo played a major role in Oglethorpe's 167 total goals and 89 assists this season, consistently generating scoring chances and finishing in key moments. Butler tallied 31 goals while Conza scored 20 goals next to 18 assists.
Their production helped power an offense that averaged over 26 shots per game and maintained a .425 shooting percentage.
Anna Ramsden and Savannah Freeman rounded out the honorees with at-large selections, recognizing their versatility and impact across multiple areas of the field. Ramsden scored 33 goals and posted 17 assists. Freeman had 19 goals and 10 assists.
Freeman also earned a spot on the SAA All-Sportsmanship Team, highlighting her leadership and commitment to the game.
As a team, the Petrels posted a 5-10 overall record and a 2-3 mark in SAA play, earning the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament. Oglethorpe showed strength in draw controls, finishing with 213 on the season compared to 174 by opponents, while also putting together a balanced offensive effort with 167 goals.
Oglethorpe now turns its attention to postseason play, traveling to Memphis, Tennessee, for the SAA tournament. The Petrels will face No. 1 Rhodes on Thursday, April 30, at 1 p.m. ET. The winner advances to the championship.
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