Tara Monaghan, a senior midfielder from SUNY Cortland, was named the women’s lacrosse nominee for the Class of 2016 Division III Honda Athlete of the Year as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) today.

She is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year honor. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 40th year.

“I am so unbelievably honored to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” said Monaghan. “Although my season did not end the way we planned, I am still so grateful for the past four years playing for SUNY Cortland.”

The senior from Stony Point, N.Y., ranks ninth nationally in goals with 76 on the year along with 14 assists for 90 total points. She led Cortland with 45 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers and ranks second with 78 draws. The DIII IWLCA Midfielder of the Year, Monaghan currently ranks seventh in career scoring with 268 points on 227 goals and 41 assists. She is ranked third all-time in goals scored and third in career draws (310) and most recently was named a IWLCA First-Team All-American..

She helped the Red Dragons to the NCAA Div. III National Championship semifinals entering the tournament with a perfect 21-0 record and 40-game winning streak entering the final weekend of play.

“Tara is such a wonderful candidate to be nominated for the Honda Athlete of the Year, “said head coach Kelly Lickert-Orr. “She exemplifies the qualities every coach looks for, from her leadership to her determination on the field. Tara is a standout player who does it all.”

All sports nominees from DIII and DII become a finalist for the prestigious 2016 Honda Collegiate Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, and will be presented on a live telecast on June 27, 2016, in the Founders’ Room at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los, Angeles.

The sports nominees are recognized in 11 DIII and DII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

The CWSA, celebrating its 40^th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its sponsorship thirty years ago in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.