Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, VA – Head coach John Sung announced the return of four student-athletes; Angie Benson, Taylor Caskey, Kendall Welch and Mary Clare McCarthy to the lacrosse program Thursday. The quartet, all listed as seniors in 2020 have the opportunity following the NCAA's decision to grant an additional year of eligibility in the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down collegiate sports in North America in early March.
"I am really excited for the opportunity to bring back two of our captains as well as Angie and Mary Clare for next year," Sung said. "The level of excitement for 2021 is through the roof with this group being able to return and add to the roster that we were already excited about. The bond that Angie and Morgan Berman our two goalies have is incredible and having both of them push each other is really going to help this team. For us to keep our core from the 2020 team and be able to have them on the 2021 roster, I couldn't ask for anything else and we are grateful for the NCAA's decision and the support from Virginia Tech's administration."
The Hokies went 7-3 (1-1) in the shortened 2020 season that was filled with milestones and record-breaking performances. Tech's midfield trio of Paige Petty, Emma Crooks and Kayla Frank was the only trio of teammates to each record 23 or more goals during the season. Petty, an All-American and Frank, just a freshman both ranked in the top 10 nationally in points scored.
On the defensive end of the field, the Hokies' 7.90 goals against average ranked seventh in the nation with goalie Angie Benson's 7.38 GAA standing as the second best in America. She totaled 83 saves and had a 54% save percentage, both in the top 10 nationally.
Caskey, an attacker and team captain, scored 32 points in 2020 and moved into third all-time in assists with 56 for her career. In total she has 140 points, on the cusp of the top 10 in Virginia Tech history.
McCarthy started in all of her appearances this past season and set career highs in caused turnovers and ground balls. The Washington, D.C. native also scored her first career goal on a free position opportunity in the win over Elon.
Welch, another team captain, made the transition to defender this season where she started all 10 games and posted a career-best 20 ground balls and also caused nine turnovers.