MILTON, Mass. – The Curry College women's lacrosse Class of 2020 led the program to over 20 wins and a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament appearance last season, the program's first since 2016. Below you will find career summaries along with what head coach Anne O'Byrne had to say about each of them.
#2 Courtney Lima (New Bedford, Mass.) – Elementary Education
As a four-year member of the program, Lima played in 52 games, making 49 starts. She tallied 27 points on 18 goals and nine assists. Additionally, Lima registered 63 ground balls, 23 draw controls, and 21 caused turnovers. Lima was also awarded for her success in the classroom as she was a two-time member of the CCC Academic All-Conference Team.
O'Byrne on Lima:
"Courtney is the definition of a selfless player," said O'Byrne. "When I joined the program, Courtney was a rising junior playing at attack us. She enjoyed the position and, with a strong shot, she was good at it. As we worked through the preseason, it became clear that Courtney's smart play and ability to quickly grasp defensive strategy made her invaluable to our defensive end."
"Despite her love of the attack position, Courtney started every game at defense and played every minute like it was her last. Courtney put the success of the team before personal success or satisfaction. She worked through adversity with logic rather than emotion and provided a sense of calm in moments of intensity or scattered play. Never one to overthink a solution or dwell on a mistake, Court showed up with confidence and poise."
"Court, you have always been the one to keep us on track. Without your ever-present knowledge of the game and pure common sense, we may be lost. Thank you for all you have given this game and this team."
#10 Abby Dubel (Wolfeboro, N.H.) – Nursing
Also a four-year member of the program, Dubel appeared in 54 games, starting in all of them. She recorded 125 points on 105 goals and 20 assists. A three-time All-CCC selection, Dubel also had 223 ground balls, 221 draw controls, and 140 caused turnovers. She finished the 2020 season with her name in several spots in the Curry women's lacrosse record book, including taking the ninth-most shots (248), picking up the fourth-most ground balls, recording the third-most draw controls, and tallying the fourth-most caused turnovers in a career. Dubel was also recognized for her performance in the classroom as she was a member of the CCC Academic All-Conference Team in 2019.
O'Byrne on Dubel:
"Abby, or 'Dubes' to us, is one of the best all-around players I have ever coached," said O'Byrne. "She plays hard, is not flashy, but is not exactly unassuming either. Dubes does the easy things well and makes the hard stuff look easy. She is talented, but more important than her talent is her work ethic. Routinely setting the proverbial and literal pace, Dubes is typified by her drive to be better the next day than she was the day before. Her constant pursuit of perfection makes her an indomitable force on the field and sets a high bar for those around her."
"Within our team we talk about being bigger and being better than our mistakes or our defeats. Dubes embodies that ethos, on and off the field, and challenges her teammates to do the same. She is passionate, self-effacing, at times dramatic, and unquestionably dedicated to this game and to our program."
"Dubes, your competitive spirit, genuine love of the game and aversion to defeat is infectious. We are going to miss you on and off the field next year."
#11 Kayla Merritt (Attleboro, Mass.) – Nursing
Another four-year member of the program, Merritt played in 51 games, starting in all of them. She registered 30 points on 23 goals and seven assists. A two-time member of the CCC Academic All-Conference Team, Merritt also had 56 ground balls, 35 draw controls, and 21 caused turnovers.
O'Byrne on Merritt:
"Kayla is our veteran captain, having served as both a junior and senior," said O'Byrne. "To be elected captain by your peers is honorable. To be elected twice is rare and deserves recognition. Kayla has earned the respect of her peers through her unwavering consistency and reliability. To some that may seem an unenthusiastic accolade. To the contrary, consistency and reliability made Kayla a staple in our starting 12 and as such she was integral to our success."
"Kayla may not be the loudest on the team, but she works hard – every single day. She is strong, physically and mentally, and is a fierce competitor. She puts the success of the team over individual glory and is tough as nails when she is determined (or mad). Kayla is a force to be reckoned with, but looking at her or talking to her, you may never know it."
"Kayla, you have led this team for the past two years and we cannot thank you enough for your steadfast commitment to making us the best we can be."
#23 Leona Stevens (Kingston, Mass.) – Community Health and Wellness
A three-year member of the program, Stevens appeared in 29 games, making 26 starts. She tallied 85 points on 57 goals and 28 assists. Additionally, Stevens scored 12 free position goals and recorded 23 ground balls, three draw controls, and 10 caused turnovers. Prior to Curry, Stevens played one season at Post University and played in 14 games, starting in all of them. She put up 30 points on 27 goals and three assists. Stevens also registered seven free position goals, 15 ground balls, and three caused turnovers with the Eagles.
O'Byrne on Stevens:
"Leona was one of the first students I met when interviewing for the Head Coach position at Curry," said O'Byrne. "I will never forget sitting in the Athletics Lounge and out of nowhere, she kind of shouted at me, asking if I was hard on my players. The rest is (recent) history. She knows what kind of coach I am and I know what kind of player and person she is."
"That memory is vivid for me because it reminds me of everything Leona is to this team and to the game of lacrosse. She is intense, passionate, and, at times, emotional. She loves the game more than most and when she plays, it shows. She plays fast, takes risks, and takes low percentage shots. But that is the beauty of Leona – she can miss 99 times out of 100 and that one goal makes it all worth it. Leona leaves her heart on the field every time she walks off and that is all a coach can ask for."
"Le, you challenge the people around you to be better and that has made us better as a team. Your antics and high expectations will be sorely missed."
O'Byrne had this to say about the Curry Women's Lacrosse Class of 2020 as a group:
"The best way to describe this year's senior class is simply, different. These four young women are different in so many ways and for so many reasons. They are different in how they respond to pressure, how they face adversity, how they celebrate success, and especially in how they struggle with defeat. Elected by their teammates, Courtney, Kayla, Abby, and Leona served together as senior captains for the 2020 season."
"Though the range of personality within our core leadership was wide, these young women found strength in their differences and commonality in their love of the game."
"In competition, they led through perseverance, dedication, intensity, and grit. In success, they celebrated and searched for ways to improve. In all that they did, and always in their own way, these four women led from their love of lacrosse."
"I have had the privilege of coaching our seniors for the past two seasons. Their collective commitment to the game and to our program is undeniable. While I am grateful for that commitment, I am most struck and most proud of the strong, resilient, women they have grown to be. In the face of unprecedented circumstances and unquestionable heartbreak, these women are thankful. They are thankful for their playing careers, for their teammates, for the game, and for having the opportunity to be Colonels."
"Court, Dubes, Kay, Le – Thank you for all of you have given to CCWLAX and for always bleeding purple!"
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