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Aztecs recognized for classroom excellence
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo: Katrina Reeves earned MPSF all-academic distinction for the third time in her career. Courtesy goaztecs.com
May 26, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State lacrosse players Katrina Reeves, Mackenzie Lech, Natalie Peel and Harlowe Steele were named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic Team, as announced Friday by the league office.
The Aztec quartet is comprised of student-athletes who have maintained a 3.00 or higher cumulative grade point average, are at least sophomores, appeared in 50 percent or more of the team's games during the 2017 campaign and already completed one full academic year at SDSU prior to this season.
The lone senior of the group, Reeves becomes just the second player in program history to garner three all-academic accolades, compiling a 3.51 GPA in child and family development. In her final season on Montezuma Mesa, the Aztec goalkeeper collected second-team all-MPSF honors and earned a spot on the conference’s all-tournament team. As one of three SDSU captains, Reeves set the school’s single-season record with a .429 save percentage and ranked second in the league with a team-high 58 ground balls. She completes her stellar collegiate career as SDSU’s all-time leader with 405 saves and 162 ground balls.
A native of Milton, Georgia, Lech received all-academic recognition for the second year in a row after posting a 3.50 GPA as a marketing major. The junior midfielder was also a second-team all-MPSF selection, contributing to an Aztec defense that ranked 15th in the nation with nearly 11 caused turnovers per contest. A starter in all 18 games, Lech racked up 40 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers on the year, which was tied for seventh and ninth in the MPSF, respectively.
A product of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Peel picked up her first all-academic honor this year after maintaining a 3.24 GPA in accounting. The sophomore midfielder, who made 13 starts in 18 games, ranked seventh on the team with 15 goals, including seven on free position attempts. She finished with two goals in five different games, including victories over Detroit Mercy, Boston University and Saint Mary’s. In addition, Peel tied her career-best with three ground balls in a key overtime triumph against California.
Steele, who hails from Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, also earned MPSF all-academic distinction for the first time in her career after retaining a 3.58 GPA in environmental engineering. The sophomore midfielder ranked second on the squad with 30 draw controls to go with nine goals, 26 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. Against Oregon in the conference quarterfinals on April 27, Steele notched one goal, two assists, two draws and two ground balls, helping the Scarlet and Black record its first-ever postseason victory. Earlier, she was named MPSF Defensive Player of the Week for a pair of exceptional efforts at UC Davis and Stanford, totaling six draw controls, four ground balls and two caused turnovers in the final two games of the regular season.
San Diego State completed its finest campaign to date in 2017, posting a program-record 10 wins, highlighted by its aforementioned triumph over Oregon in the league tournament. In addition, the Aztecs logged a 6-1 record during a seven-game March homestand and collected three all-MPSF honors to go with seven conference player of the week awards.
San Diego State Lacrosse
2017 MPSF All-Academic Honorees
Katrina Reeves, Senior – Child and Family Development (3.51)
Mackenzie Lech, Junior – Marketing (3.50)
Natalie Peel, Sophomore – Accounting (3.24)
Harlowe Steele, Sophomore – Environmental Engineering (3.58)
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