May 7, 2008

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Junior midfielder Taylor Fragapane (Cockeysville, Md.) was announced as Yale's 2008-09 women's lacrosse captain at the team's post-season barbecue Tuesday night. Fragapane, the 33rd captain in Yale history, was elected by a team vote last week at Ray Tompkins House. The Bulldogs also honored senior midfielder Lauren Taylor (Manhasset, N.Y.) with her second straight Bowditch Award as team MVP. Senior attacker Meredith Callahan (Chatham, N.J.) won the Gib Holgate Award and sophomore defender Claire Eliasberg (San Diego, Calif.) was named Most Improved Player.

Fragapane is one of three members of the Class of 2009 on the Yale roster, along with midfielders Linden Ellis (Freeport, Me.) and Jenn Warden (Edgemont, Pa.). The Bulldogs have gone 33-16 in the Class of 2009's time in New Haven, including an NCAA tournament appearance in 2007.

"It is an incredible honor to be recognized by my teammates and I am very grateful to be part of such a talented and committed group of girls," Fragapane said. "I am very excited to lead this team alongside my closest friends and classmates Linden and Jenn. I believe that this class, although it may be small in number, has the dedication to take this team to another level. Looking forward to the 2009 season, I hope to foster a competitive and positive environment, on and off the field, to help bring this team back to the NCAA tournament."

Fragapane scored a career-high 15 goals last season while also playing a key role in a Yale defense that allowed only 7.45 goals per game (4th in the country). She added a pair of assists to finish with a career-high 17 points. The speedy Fragapane also had 14 draw controls and 13 ground balls while committing only seven turnovers -- an improvement by 22 over her total from the previous season. She has started all 49 games of her career.

"We are looking forward to a great year with Taylor as our captain," said Laura Field, Yale's Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse. "She has been a constant for us on the field since her freshman year and we have come to rely on her competitive spirit and hard work both on and off the field. She and her classmates have been an integral part of this team their entire careers, and we know that together they will provide our underclassmen with tremendous support and guidance next year. They are all great leaders."

Fragapane is an economics major in Saybrook College. One of seven Maryland natives on the Bulldogs' roster, she is a graduate of Roland Park Country School.

Taylor earned her second straight Barbara Bowditch award, which is named after the first varsity women's lacrosse coach at Yale, with another dominant offensive performance. The award is determined by a team vote and given to the player who, through dedication and ability, has contributed the most to the women's varsity lacrosse team. Taylor led the team in goals (41) and points (59), marking the fourth straight year she led the team in both categories. She finished her career with 198 goals and 246 points, placing second to Tracy Ball '81 on Yale's all-time lists in both categories. An All-America candidate, she was on the watch list for the Tewaaraton Trophy.

"Lauren earned this award with the points that she put up, but she also deserves this award for the complete player that she has become over her four years at Yale," said Field. "Lauren's desire, leadership and sheer love of the game will be something that we will miss tremendously next year."

Taylor is a history of science/history of medicine major in Silliman College. She is part of a unique five-year academic program at Yale. After getting her B.A. this year she will receive a Masters degree in public health next year. Prior to Yale she attended Manhasset High School.

Callahan's teammates voted for her to receive the Holgate Award, which is given to the player whose dedication to the ideals of Yale and to the success of women's lacrosse measure up to the standards set by James G. "Gib" Holgate, a member of the Yale athletic administration from 1954 to 1985.

The quarterback of Yale's attack, Callahan achieved career highs in goals (16), assists (17) and points (33) this season, surpassing her previous bests in each of those categories by at least five. She had the game-winning goal at Dartmouth in overtime, giving Yale three straight wins over the Big Green for the first time in 26 years.

"Meredith is the embodiment of what Yale lacrosse is all about," said Field. "I hope that future generations of players will strive to emulate her tireless enthusiasm along with her dedication to the game and to her teammates."

Callahan, who won the Most Improved Player Award last year, is a psychology major in Davenport College. Prior to Yale she attended Oak Knoll School.

After appearing in five games last year Eliasberg emerged as one of Yale's most reliable defenders this year, playing 14 games and starting the final 11. She had six ground balls and committed only one turnover. That earned her recognition from the coaching staff as Yale's most improved player.

"Claire's short lacrosse career has been marked by steady improvement, and we couldn't be more thrilled that she has matured into a consistent and strong presence for us defensively," said Field. "We are looking forwarded to two more great years with Claire."

Eliasberg is a history of science/history of medicine major in Trumbull College. Prior to Yale she attended La Jolla Country Day School.

Yale went 11-5 in 2008 and is currently ranked No. 18 in the national poll. That was the 10th time in the last 14 seasons the Bulldogs finished with 11 or more wins. Yale is tied with Georgetown for the second-longest current streak of winning seasons (15), trailing only Maryland (27).

report by Sam Rubin '95 (sam.rubin@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity