Massachusetts Maritime freshman goalkeeper Tenley Gillett was named to the 2012 New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance all-conference team that was released late Wednesday, as she earned second team all-league accolades in the Buccaneers’ inaugural varsity campaign this spring.

A native of Manchester, N.H. and a graduate of Culver Academy, Gillett recorded 169 saves while appearing in all 15 matches (12 starts) this season, including 17 stops in Massachusetts Maritime’s 18-16 inaugural varsity victory at Wheelock on March 29^th and 16 saves in the Buccaneers’ 9-6 NEWLA triumph at Elms on March 31^st.  For her efforts in those two outings, Gillett was named as the NEWLA Defensive Player of the Week.

A two-sport standout during her first year at the Academy, Gillett ranked second on the squad in ground balls (25) and fifth in caused turnovers (six).  She made a career-high 22 saves against Regis on April 21^st and ranked second in the Alliance in both total saves and saves percentage.

Massachusetts Maritime was also named as the 2012 recipient of NEWLA’s Sportsmanship Award, which is voted upon by the league’s coaches.  The Buccaneers were recognized for their efforts throughout the season, particularly in the March 31^st match at Elms when they played without two field players for most of the day due to injuries that reduced the host Blazers’ squad size during that contest.

Head Coach Julie Rigo, a former standout at Sandwich High who played on Stonehill College’s 2002 NCAA Division II national runner-up squad, will welcome back 16 letterwinners and eight starters next spring as Massachusetts Maritime moves from NEWLA to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2013.