US Lacrosse Magazine announced Wednesday its 2021 Division III Women’s Preseason Positional Players of the Year, part of the magazine’s immersive coverage leading to the upcoming spring season.

Four players — an attacker, midfielder, defender and goalie — earned this distinction thanks to their performances during the 2020 season and our expectations for 2021.

Next Wednesday (Dec. 30), US Lacrosse Magazine will reveal its overall Division III Women’s Preseason Player of the Year.

Preseason Attacker of the Year
Jane Earley, Middlebury

The No. 2 all-time goal scorer in high school history (479 goals) burst onto the collegiate scene with 51 goals and 17 assists as a freshman, earning all-tournament team honors as Middlebury won the NCAA championship. She’s poised to be the Division III headliner for years to come.

Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Maia Noyes, Amherst

Noyes was a first-team All-NESCAC selection and the conference’s Rookie of the Year in 2018. A do-it-all midfielder, she is good on the draw, can drive to the cage, dishes the ball well and is important to the defensive scheme. She had nine goals, six assists, 18 draw controls and nine caused turnovers in five games last year.

Preseason Defender of the Year
Addy Mitchell, Middlebury

Mitchell led the NESCAC in ground balls as a sophomore in 2019, setting the school single-season record with 70. She has started every game she has played and is considered one of the most impactful defenders ever to come through Middlebury.

Preseason Goalie of the Year
Molly Laliberty, Tufts

After splitting time in the cage as a freshman, Laliberty was poised for a breakout sophomore campaign before the 2020 season shut down. She was 5-2 as a freshman while appearing in 17 games, but she recorded a 61.1-percent save rate through a 3-0 start last year while allowing just 5.6 goals per game.