Adds Honor to ODAC Player of the Year Award

SALEM, Va. --- Sophomore midfielder Gina Valles added to her post-season accolades as she was named to the 2009 IWLCA (Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association) Div. III All-America Second-Team announced this afternoon. She is the sixth player this decade and the first since Katlyn Scarlett (2007) to receive this honor. The IWLCA and US Lacrosse will honor the National All-Americans at an awards banquet on Saturday, June 13, 2009 in King of Prussia, Pa.

Valles, who was just named first-team Chesapeake Regional All-American on Thursday, was ranked in the ODAC in overall points (1^st), points per game (1^st), goals per game (1^st), game-winners (1^st), groundballs per game (3^rd) and shots per game (2^nd).  Her 98 points were 17^th in the country and broke a new school-record.  She also finished 16^th nationally in goals (75) which was one shy of tying the single-season mark.  Valles scored at least one goal in each of Roanoke's 21 games this season, notching two or more goals in 20 of those contests.  She tallied at least four goals in 11 different games, going for a season-high seven goals in a regular season win over Washington & Lee.  Valles earned the ODAC Player of the Week award three times throughout the season en route to the 2009 ODAC Player of the Year Award.  She currently sits eighth on the school's all-time scoring list (177), sixth in career goals (139), fifth in career shots (296) and tied for third in career draw controls with 104.

The Maroons finished 16-5, 8-0 in the ODAC while capturing their first regular season and tournament championship since 1999.  The 16 wins tie the 1988 team for the second most in school-history.  The 11-game win streak was the longest since the 1992 season.  Head Coach Mary Schwartz was named the 2009 ODAC Coach of the Year.

The IWLCA was founded on the principle of developing among intercollegiate coaches a deep sense of responsibility in teaching, promotion, and maintaining the growth of women's lacrosse in accordance with the highest ideals of fair play. It is a body committed to being an integral part of the growth and direction of our collegiate sport. US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse.

For a look at the entire IWLCA All-American Team, click HERE.

This release is courtesy of the Roanoke College sports information department.