Mastropietro Named Preseason Midfielder of the Year; Three Owls Named to All-Conference Team

PHILADELPHIA- Three Temple lacrosse players were voted to the Preseason All-Conference Team, with Belle Mastropietro, Mackenzie Roth, and Katie Shallow being tabbed. Mastropietro was also awarded Preseason Midfielder of the Year. The team is projected to finish second in the conference, as voted on by league coaches.

Mastropietro is looking to build on a stellar career thus far during her two seasons in Cherry and White. The midfielder led the team in four statistical categories during her freshman year, including goals (20) and shots on goal (37). Her 2.12 goals per game average ranked seventh in the league, and she earned AAC Freshman of the honors on March 9. Last season Mastropietro kicked things up a notch, tallying 43 goals and 12 assists. She also earned First-Team All-Conference and All-Tournament honors. She is first among returning AAC players in goals per game (2.53) and is second in points per game (3.24).

Roth is looking to pick up where she left off last season. The junior exploded onto the scene last year, with a monster start to the season. Roth picked up six points in her first game, and three in her second. She earned AAC Attack of the Week for her performances. The attacker ended the year with 44 points, good for fourth on the team. She ranks second among returning American Athletic Conference players in assists (23).

Shallow made an outsized impact in her freshman season. She started all 19 games, picking up 31 ground balls and causing 28 turnovers, good for fourth and second on the team, respectively. Shallow proved to be an elite defender in the latter half of the season. She starred with six ground balls and four caused turnovers against Cincinnati, and earned Freshman of the Week honors for strong back-to-back performances against East Carolina. The defender set a new career-high in caused turnovers (six) against Vanderbilt in the AAC semifinals and was named to the All-Tournament team.

Florida was voted as the front-runner to win the conference title, earning five out of a possible six first-place votes following an impressive 2021 season. The Gators also lead all teams with six All-Conference selections. Temple takes second place with 19 total points and one first-place vote, alongside Vanderbilt, who also has 19 points. Cincinnati finished in fourth (12 points), followed by East Carolina (9 points). Old Dominion rounds out the group with 6 points.

No. 22 Temple will open their season on Saturday, Feb. 12 for their first-ever meeting with the Army Black Knights. Attendance to the Temple Sports Complex is free for all fans. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

2022 American Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll

1.	Florida (5) *	25
2.	Temple (1)	19
	Vanderbilt	19
4.	Cincinnati	12
5.	East Carolina	9
6.	Old Dominion	6

	first-place votes in parentheses

2022 American Athletic Conference Preseason Attack Player of the Year
Gabby Fornia, Vanderbilt

2022 American Athletic Conference Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Belle Mastropietro, Temple

2022 American Athletic Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Emma Wightman, Florida

2022 American Athletic Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Sarah Reznick, Florida *

2022 American Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team
Dani Mlkvy, D, Cincinnati
Peyton Mottice, M, Cincinnati
Kylie Nause, A, Cincinnati *
Nicole Legar, M, East Carolina
Becky Browndorf, D, Florida
Paisley Eagan, M, Florida *
Emily Heller, M, Florida
Danielle Pavinelli, A, Florida
Sarah Reznick, G, Florida *
Emma Wightman, D, Florida
Lilly Siskind, A, Old Dominion *
Belle Mastropietro, M, Temple *
Mackenzie Roth, A, Temple *
Katie Shallow, D, Temple
Gabby Fornia, A, Vanderbilt *
Bri Gross, M, Vanderbilt *
Melissa Hawkins, D, Vanderbilt
Maddie Souza, A, Vanderbilt

* unanimous selection

Temple University Athletics

Mastropietro Named Preseason Midfielder of the Year; Three Owls Named to All-Conference Team

Players Mentioned

Belle Mastropietro

Mackenzie Roth

Katie Shallow

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