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BEST adj.
/best/
superlative of GOOD

1: excelling all others

2: most productive of good: offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction

3: most, largest

(Source: Merriam-Webster)

Best of Lacrosse 2018 Finalists
Men’s Player | Women’s Player
Men’s Coach | Women’s Coach
Men’s Breakthrough | Women’s Breakthrough
Men’s Performance | Women’s Performance
Game | Moment

As the lacrosse calendar turns from 2018 to 2019 and we reflect on one of the most riveting years in recent memory, US Lacrosse Magazine is taking to Twitter for the fans’ perspective on what made it so. We’ve identified four finalists each in 10 categories in preparation for our annual “Best of Lacrosse” edition.

Below, we present the finalists for Best Women’s Breakthrough.

Kristen Gaudian
James Madison

James Madison's breakthrough on the national scene came in early February with a 15-14 victory over North Carolina, the Dukes first over the Tar Heels in nearly 20 years. The star of that signature victory? Kristen Gaudian, a senior attacker, who forced overtime with 1:27 remaining and then scored the game-winner to cap a five-goal game. She finished the year with 80 goals and 96 points, leading JMU to its first national championship. She was named a Tewaaraton finalist and the CAA Player of the Year.

Katie Hoeg
North Carolina

After a solid freshman year in which she scored 17 points, Katie Hoeg burst onto the national stage in 2018. In her first year as a starter, Hoeg set North Carolina single-season records with 50 assists and 89 points. Hoeg earned first team All-America and first team All-ACC honors in helping guide the Tar Heels to an ACC championship and NCAA final four trip.

Julia Lisella
Colorado

Julia Lisella played in two games as a freshman in 2016 and then redshirted the 2017 season behind Colorado's star goalie Paige Soenksen. The wait was worth it. In her first year as a starter, Lisella was named the IWLCA Goalkeeper of the Year. She led the Pac 12 with a 50.3 save percentage and ranked seventh nationally with a 9.34 goals against average, helping the Buffs to a 14-6 record and a Top 15 ranking nationally.

Paige Petty
Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech's dramatic ascension that ended with the school's first NCAA tournament berth was fueled in large measure by a freshman — Paige Petty. Petty earned second team All-America honors to become the Hokies' first All-American in nearly 20 years. She led Virginia Tech in scoring with 58 goals, helping the Hokies go 5-2 in the ACC after the program had combined for just five conference wins in its first 14 years in the league. Petty scored 22 goals in those five ACC wins.