University of North Carolina Athletics
Jamie Ortega led Carolina in goals on the way to the NCAA semifinals in 2018.
McCool & Ortega Earn Honors From Inside Lacrosse
July 12, 2018 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL—University of North Carolina women's lacrosse players Marie McCool and Jamie Ortega continue to rake in the postseason awards for 2018.
This week, Inside Lacrosse magazine named McCool its Division I National Midfielder of the Year and Ortega its National Rookie of the Year. McCool also earned the same honor from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association last month.
Of McCool, ILWomen wrote:
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She is second in UNC history in draw controls (295), third in points (246), fourth in goals (183) and eighth in assists (63). She led UNC to a 72-13 record, 25-3 ACC record, three ACC Tournament championships, three final fours, two title-game appearances and an NCAA title.
In describing Ortega's freshman season, ILWomen had this to say:
This week, Inside Lacrosse magazine named McCool its Division I National Midfielder of the Year and Ortega its National Rookie of the Year. McCool also earned the same honor from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association last month.
Of McCool, ILWomen wrote:
McCool is the first player to win ACC Midfielder of the Year honors twice. The Moorestown, N.J., native was a three-time All-America and All-ACC selection; she is just the third Tar Heel women's lacrosse player to earn first-team All-America honors three times and the first to be a national player of the year finalist twice.McCool earned a spot as a Tewaaraton finalist for the second time, earning IWLCA DI Midfielder of the Year honors. She scored 61 goals and 23 assists on the offensive end, and on the defensive side, leading UNC in all these categories: 165 draw controls, 23 caused turnovers and 35 ground balls.
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She is second in UNC history in draw controls (295), third in points (246), fourth in goals (183) and eighth in assists (63). She led UNC to a 72-13 record, 25-3 ACC record, three ACC Tournament championships, three final fours, two title-game appearances and an NCAA title.
In describing Ortega's freshman season, ILWomen had this to say:
Ortega was the 2018 ACC Freshman of the Year. She led all ACC freshmen and the Tar Heels with 70 goals, which also ranked second overall in the ACC. Her 86 points (70g, 16a) also led all ACC rookies and ranked fourth overall. The Centereach, N.Y., native was at her best late in the season. She totaled an ACC Tournament-record 15 goals in three games and was named to the all-tournament team. She had four goals and one assist in the NCAA semifinal against James Madison, earning All-NCAA Tournament Team honors.The ACC Rookie of the Year navigated her way to be the top goal-scorer on a very deep North Carolina offense that helped the team reach the NCAA semifinal round. She shot 57.4% for 70 goals, plus 16 assists, scoring multiple goals in all of UNC's final 14 contests, including 12 in three games in the NCAAs.
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
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