Kendra Harbinger named Rookie of the Year

ALBANY, N.Y. » University at Albany freshman midfielder Kendra Harbinger was named the America East Rookie of the Year for women’s lacrosse, and the Great Danes placed four players on allconference teams, including three on the First Team.

Senior attacker Emma Powlin, sophomore defender Jordyn Marr and sophomore midfielder Sam Tortora all were named to the America East All-Conference First Team. Junior midfielder Kaylee Rickert made the Second Team.

Harbinger and Kyla Zapolski earned spots on the All-Rookie Team.

Also, four UAlbany studentathletes were named to the All-Academic Team: Powlin, Marr, Rickert and sophomore goalkeeper Erin Leghart.

Harbinger, who was honored as the league’s Rookie of the Week seven times this season, is third on the team with 46 points (39

goals, seven assists). She’s UAlbany’s leader in shots on goal (74) and draw controls (52).

“It’s an honor to be recognized,” Harbinger said. “I wouldn’t be in this position without my teammates and my coaches -Jessica Davos, Taylor Frink and Rachel Bowles. They all pushed me throughout the season and taught me the little things that got me to where I am today.”

The Clifton Park, N.Y., native is just the second Great Dane to be honored as Rookie of the Year. The other was Bowles (2013), who now serves as UAlbany’s volunteer assistant coach.

“With a tireless work ethic, Kendra has pushed herself all year to raise the bar, and I’m incredibly proud of her for earning this honor,” Davos said. “Despite her age, she has consistently stepped up to the challenge and has been a catalyst for our team’s success all season.”

Powlin and Tortora made all-conference teams for the second time. Powlin, who leads the Great Danes with 57 points (43 goals, 14 assists), was a Second-Team member in 2017. Tortora, UAlbany’s assist leader with 28, was on the AllRookie team last season.

Marr, a sophomore, earned the First-Team nod in her first year playing defense, after having worked at attack as a freshman. She leads the Great Danes with 20 caused turnovers.

Rickert has been a standout all over the field. She leads UAlbany in ground balls (48) and has contributed 33 points (23 goals, 10 assists).

Zapolski has started all 16 games as a freshman, scoring 16 goals and picking up four assists. She also has 41 draw controls, which is third most on the team.

UAlbany’s four studentathletes on the All-Acadademic Team tied with Stony Brook for the most of any school.