Sparks, MD — The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association released its rosters for its annual IWLCA Senior All-Star game and Hawks senior defender Alex Coyle made history as the program's first ever selection.
 
Coyle joins 43 others to participate in the 2023 Division III All-Star game, held at USA Lacrosse Headquarters in Sparks, Maryland June 3.
 
"I feel incredibly honored to be the first ever all-star selection for New Paltz," Coyle said. "I feel it really shows the success of the program and accredits the amazing year we all had. To me, representing New Paltz means representing a program that I hold so special to my heart. These past four years playing lacrosse here have been the best years of my life, and it's so fun to look back at the growth we've had in those four years. I definitely feel that this All-Star selection was a cumulation of growth we've had as a program. The senior class has been huge for this program, and all of us have just continued to grow as players and leaders these past four years."
 
The IWLCA sponsors the annual event to showcase the nation's stop seniors throughout Division I, II and III. All three games will take place on Tierney Field with the Division II game scheduled first at 10 a.m. followed by DIII at 12:30 p.m. and DI at 3 p.m. Prior to the event, each senior all-star is invited to a players only social Friday night, bringing student-athletes across all three divisions together across the country. Coyle, selected to play on team North, will be coached by Gettysburg head coach Charlotte Cunningham who just led the Bullets to a national championship appearance.
"I am super excited and grateful for the opportunity to be playing amongst some of the best Division III lacrosse players in the country," Coyle added. "This is such a special and amazing opportunity to not only play lacrosse but learn from new coaches and players. I am definitely most looking forward to competing with the girls and forming new relationships."
 
Coyle, coming off a career season as a captain for the Hawks, enjoyed her first selection to the All-SUNYAC second team after leading SUNY New Paltz to a historic season, especially defensively. The team set program bests in goals allowed (143), goals-against-average (8.97), while their 107 caused turnovers not only set a program record, but led all of SUNYAC en route to earning the most wins in program history, finishing at 9-7, and claiming its second-straight trip to the conference postseason tournament.
 
"This past year has been so special to me, and such a great way to end my career here," Coyle said. "Our team this year has made so much history and I am so proud to have been a part of it. Our defense this year was amazing, and they really set me up for success the entire year. We've all been on the same page the entire year, backing each other up and giving each other the chances to go out and make those huge plays. Without everyone playing their positions so well, I wouldn't have been able to have had the career season I had." 
 
Becoming the program's first IWCLA All-Star selection, Coyle achieved career milestones throughout her final season for the Hawks. She played a vital role as the backer of coach Randy Vite's zone defense. She never missed a start — playing all 16 games — and totaled 25 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers — both career highs, while her 15 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers in SUNYAC play were tied for third and second, respectively.

Her final stint with the team ended in fitting fashion, getting the official email she was invited to participate among the best seniors in the country.
 
"I was super pumped," she said. "I texted Coach Vite right away, and she told me how excited and proud she was, especially since I was the first ever selection. My family and friends were so proud of me and all the hard work I've put in these past few years to get there."
 
To see the full rosters, and read the official IWLCA press release, click here.

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