ARLINGTON, Va. -- Piecing together a historic debut with the Christopher Newport women's lacrosse team, Kelsey Winters was named the 2020 VaSID All-State Rookie of the Year, while sophomores Zoe Dyer and Kendall Krause were also celebrated for their efforts by the Virginia Sports Information Directors.

Receiving the highest honor for a freshman in the state of Virginia, Winters entered an exclusive club. She became only the second Captain to earn the prestigious award, joining former All-American Meaghan Galvin, who was honored in 2014.

In addition to being named the state's top freshman, Winters also secured first-team All-State accolades. With that honor, she became just the fourth freshman in program history to earn a spot on Virginia's top squad, joining Galvin as well as former goalkeepers Hanna Slough (2013) and Emma Walsh (2016).

Also earning recognition for their work during the year, Dyer and Krause hauled in second-team plaudits. Overall, the three honorees equaled the most by the program since 2014. The 2020 contingent also marked the first time three underclassmen earned All-State accolades in the same season since 2016 when Galvin, Walsh, and current assistant coach Catie Chess were honored for their efforts.

Bursting onto the scene, Winters made the most of her time on the field in 2020. Quickly establishing herself as one of the nation's top playmakers, she led all freshmen in the NCAA with 23 assists and 35 points. Her 23 helpers also ranked fourth among all players in the nation and allowed her to become the first freshman to lead the Capital Athletic Conference in assists since 2009.

Consistent throughout the year, Winters contributed at least three points in every game during the season, including a freshman-record seven assists during a victory over Roanoke on February 22. Her seven helpers equaled the third-most by a Captain in program history and the sixth-highest total by any player in the NCAA during the 2020 season. Four days after that performance, she added seven more points, including a pair of goals, at Virginia Wesleyan. Fittingly, she was named the CAC Offensive Player of the Week for that run.

Equally effective under the bright lights, Winters became the first freshman in program history to register multi-goal efforts in back-to-back games against nationally-ranked competition. The Harwood, Maryland native drove home two strikes at No. 6 Washington & Lee on March 4 before collecting her first collegiate hat-trick at No. 24 Messiah on March 7.

Building upon a dynamic debut campaign, Dyer followed up her freshman season with a lethal offensive showcase as a sophomore in 2020. Torching the opposition, she ranked fifth in the CAC with 20 goals and seventh with 27 points. Flashing her finishing skills, she was the only Captain to score in every game while contributing four multi-goal efforts, including a pair of hat-tricks.

Making history on February 22, Dyer placed her name among the program's elite scorers after depositing eight strikes during a win over Roanoke. With that performance, she became just the third Captain to register eight goals in a single contest, joining Christopher Newport Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Wendy Wilson and Ashton Marshall. Later, she added five more tallies in a win against Coast Guard on March 10, including three strikes in the first five minutes of regulation. That marked the school's fastest hat-trick since 2013.

A starter in all 26 games over the past two seasons, the Oakton, Virginia native currently ranks eighth in program history with a 3.08 points-per-game average. That rate places Dyer just behind a decorated collection of standouts that includes four Hall of Fame inductees and two other All-Americans.

Putting in work on both sides of the field, Krause helped anchor the midfield unit during the 2020 season. A versatile contributor with a well-rounded skill set, she was one of only two players in the CAC to finish the year with at least 10 points, 10 draws, 10 ground balls, and 10 caused turnovers. The sophomore standout eventually capped off the season ranked fourth in the conference with 10 takeaways and eighth with 15 rollers.

Showcasing her versatility, Krause became just the second player in program history to have at least four ground balls, two caused turnovers, and a goal in back-to-back games after starring in early-season battles with Shenandoah on February 15 and Roanoke on February 22. Later, she also notched her first career hat-trick at Virginia Wesleyan on February 26 and was honored as the CAC Defensive Player of the Week on March 16 after posting three takeaways in the regular season finale against Coast Guard.

Only the seventh Captain to register 10 caused turnovers in each of her first two seasons, the Ellicott City, Maryland native ranks third in program history in takeaways-per-game with a 0.96 average. That also stands as the top rate among midfielders.

2020 VaSID All-State Women's Lacrosse Honorees
Player of the Year: Caitlin Anderson, Washington & Lee
Rookie of the Year: Kelsey Winters, Christopher Newport
Coach of the Year: Lindsey Lutz, Shenandoah

1st-Team All-State
Attack: Paige Haskins, Mary Washington
Attack: Alissa Johnson, Southern Virginia
Attack: Morgan Shorts, Mary Washington
Attack: Kelsey Winters, Christopher Newport
Defender: Caitlin Anderson, Washington & Lee
Defender: Caitlyn Dunn, Marymount
Defender: Mackenzie Parcell, Bridgewater
Midfielder: Kaylah Bailey, Sweet Briar
Midfielder: Alyson Bittinger, Shenandoah
Midfielder: Hannah King, Southern Virginia
Goalie: Elliot Gilbert, Washington & Lee

2nd-Team All-State
Attack: Zoe Dyer, Christopher Newport
Attack: Jesse French, Virginia-Wise
Attack: Dani Murray, Washington & Lee
Defender: Jenny Bosserman, Mary Washington
Defender: Rylie Cole, Mary Washington
Defender: Kameryn Darrington, Virginia-Wise
Defender: Allie O'Leary, Lynchburg
Midfielder: Caroline Earnshaw, Virginia-Wise
Midfielder: Kendall Krause, Christopher Newport
Midfielder: Sarah Perry, Randolph
Goalie: Meagan Gagnon, Marymount

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