Kaestner Receives Willard Award from U.S. Lacrosse Senior competed at the U.S. Lacrosse National Tournament



WASHINGTON – Senior midfielder Ashby Kaestner received the Aimee Willard award at the U.S. Lacrosse Women’s Division National Tournament.  Kaestner was one of seven players to earn recognition at the annual tournament which has three divisions and is one of the largest lacrosse events in the nation.



Kaestner received the honor which is given to the top collegiate athlete competing at the event.  The tournament includes division championships, a U.S. Team exhibition and a high school all-star game. 



The award is named after Aimee Willard, an outstanding student-athlete who played at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur and later at George Mason University.  It was established in 1997 by her mother, coach and the Philadelphia Women’s Lacrosse Association.  Georgetown has had the most recipients since its inception with Sheehan Stanwick earning the award in 2001 and Erin Elbe receiving the honor the following year.



Kaestner competed in the Stars and Stripes Division at the tournament which is a mix of collegiate and post-collegiate players and serves as tryouts for the U.S. Team.



The senior was a Third Team All-America honoree this season after a well-rounded career for the Hoyas. Kaestner was second on the team in scoring with 49 points on 37 goals and 12 assists. She also led the squad in draw controls with 48 and ranked fourth in caused turnovers with 20. The co-captain scored five goals three times this year and scored the game winner in overtime against Loyola (Md.) during the regular season. Kaestner was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection and named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament team. She is a three-time Regional and National All-America honoree. 



Kaestner was a member of the U.S. Developmental Team in 2008-09.  The Willard Award marks her first recognition with the national team.