US Lacrosse Magazine has selected midfielder Jessica Berg of Colorado State and attacker Kaitlin Ball of Denver as the Brine/US Lacrosse Preseason Players of the Year for WCLA Division I and WCLA Division II, respectively.
In addition, US Lacrosse Magazine has identified four other players to watch in each division.
Brine/US Lacrosse WCLA Division I
Preseason Player of the Year
Jessica Berg, M, Sr.
Colorado State
Last year’s national midfielder of the year who led the Rams to the RMWLL title, the national quarterfinals and a final 14-6 record, Berg is described by one opposing coach as “a game-changer all over the field.” Playing her best against the best, Berg tallied 11 goals and six assists in four games at the 2017 WCLA National Championships.
Players to Watch
Courtney Bruch, A, Sr.
Pittsburgh
A second team All-American in 2017, Bruch was the second leading scorer for Pitt’s high-scoring offense last year. The offense will likely run through her again in 2018 as Pitt aims for another deep postseason run.
Sarah Fried, D, Jr.
Michigan Club
A returning All-American who will anchor the Wolverine defense in 2018, Fried was part of a unit last year that limited eight opponents to single-digit goals as Michigan advanced to the national quarterfinals.
Jillian Schell, A, Jr.
San Diego State Club
Schell was one of the catalysts for a young SDSU team that earned just its second WCLA tournament berth in 2017. Schell tallied 14 goals at the national tournament, including a six-goal performance against Cal Poly.
Sarah Tapan, A, Jr.
Delaware Club
After starting her career as a varsity player at Hofstra, Tapan made an immediate impact upon joining the Blue Hens. She scored four goals in both the semifinal and championship games in 2017 to lead Delaware to its first WCLA championship.
Brine/US Lacrosse WCLA Division II
Preseason Player of the Year
Kaitlin Ball, A, Jr.
Denver
Last year’s national attacker of the year helped guide Denver to a second straight national championship, leading the team with 30 goals and 44 points. Ball recorded 12 goals and 15 points in four tournament games, as the Pioneers successfully defended their title while posting a 14-2 overall record.
Players to Watch
Lauren Beckstrand, D, So.
Utah
Beckstrand made an immediate impact for the Utes in 2017, earning first team All-American honors and helping Utah to a 9-4 record and the No. 6 seed for the national championship tournament.
Lila Satterfield, M, Sr.
Vermont Club
Satterfield helped the Catamounts to a breakthrough season, finishing 10-1 overall and earning their second-ever berth in the national tournament. An explosive scorer, she tallied 19 goals in four games at the championship.
Michaela Smith, A, Jr.
Loyola Club
Smith was one of the key cogs for Loyola’s high-powered offense last year, helping to lead the Greyhounds to a national runner-up finish. The first-team All-American led the team in goals and points, including four goals in the national semifinal and three goals in the championship game.
Victoria Peleras, M, Sr.
Concordia (Calif.)
Peleras was a second-team All-American in 2017. She led the Eagles in scoring with 47 points during a 13-3 campaign that also earned Concordia the No. 4 seed for the national tournament.