Syracuse, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz junior attacker Lexi Atwater was voted as the SUNYAC Women's Lacrosse Scholar Athlete of the Year, announced by the conference office Thursday.
 
Atwater is the first women's lacrosse player to earn the honor since Nicole Gottschalk in 2016-17, the first year the award was named with the two being the only recipient of the honor in program history.
 
The SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award honors student-athletes in each respective sport for their prowess both in the classroom and on the field. To be eligible, student-athletes must sustain at least a 3.30 GPA and demonstrate academic and athletic excellence, must be a starter or significant reserve player and at least a sophomore in standing.
 
Atwater became the epitome of the award, as she had a breakout season for the Hawks becoming the program's first ever SUNYAC Attacker of the Year, along with being the first to be named as an IWLCA All-Empire Region First Team selection.
 
The Brighton, NY native finished her junior campaign with a career-high 67 goals, leading the team and falling just three goals shy of the single season record and topped the team in points with 73 on the year. Starting all 18 games, Atwater added six assists with 138 shots with a shot on goal percentage of .775 with four game-winners including a last second goal to push SUNY New Paltz past No. 19 Colorado College to cement the first win over a nationally ranked program. She also contributed 29 ground balls, 13 caused turnovers and 31 draw controls.
 
A standout student, Atwater received high honors while a psychology major, earning a spot on the SUNYAC Commissioner's List and being enshrined in the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society this past spring.
 
To read the official SUNYAC press release click here.
 

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