VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Amanda Riesmeyer of Michigan and Sydney Liebl of St. Thomas have been named as the Division I and Division II winners, respectively, of the 2019 Amtahcha Award as the players of the year in the US Lacrosse Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA). Both players were honored during ceremonies on Wednesday evening.
Riesmeyer, a senior defender, is a two-time All-American and was the national defender of the year in 2018 as she helped lead the Wolverines to the national championship. This season, she has helped Michigan to a 14-3 record and the No. 5 seed for this week’s Division I national championship tournament in Virginia Beach.
Liebl, a senior midfielder, led St. Thomas to a 12-0 record this season. She is this year’s Division II national midfielder of the year in addition to the Amtahcha Award winner. St. Thomas begins play Thursday as the number three seed in the Division II national championship tournament.
The Amtahcha Awards were established in 2012 through a gift from Dr. Larry Feldman, founder of LaxPower.com, to the US Lacrosse Foundation.
In addition to the Amtahcha Award winners, the 2019 WCLA All-Americans and major award winners in each division were named.
2019 WCLA Division I National Awards
Player of the Year (Amtahcha Award) - Amanda Riesmeyer – Michigan -Senior
Attacker of the Year -- Karina Yamasaki - UCLA - Senior
Midfielder of the Year -- Emma Shahabi – UCLA - Junior
Defender of the Year -- Sarah Fried – Michigan -Senior
Goalie of the Year -- Anna Downs - Boston College - Jr
Rookie of the Year -- Kelli McKinnon -San Diego St - Fresh
Coach of the Year -- Destiny Moore - Oregon State
For the Love of the Game -- Stephanie Alpizar - Oregon
Jenn Eames Award -- Virginia Tech
2019 WCLA Division II National Awards
Player of the Year (Amtahcha Award) -- Sydney Liebl - St. Thomas – Senior
Attacker of the Year -- Michaela Hoffmann - St. Thomas –Junior
Midfielder of the Year -- Sydney Liebl - St. Thomas - Senior
Defender of the Year -- Kirsten Brown - Grand Valley State – Senior
Goalie of the Year -- Hannah Hinde -Utah Valley – Junior
Rookie of the Year -- McKenna Huber -Utah State –Fresh
Coach of the Year -- Krista Call -Utah State
For the Love of the Game -- Jasmine Rangel -Hardin-Simmons
Jenn Eames Award – Navy