Troy, NY-- The Sage Colleges' department of athletics recently honored members of the varsity teams at the Athletic Awards Banquet. 

The Sage Colleges' women's lacrosse team was named the recipient of the 2012 Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Award, marking the second straight year the Gators have been recognized with the honor. The players and coaching staff received acclaim from the league's coaches for the manner in which they conducted themselves over the course of the season.

Junior Alexa Veeder (Earlton, NY/Academy of the Holy Names), a member of the women's lacrosse team at Sage was named the recipient of the Gator Award as the team Most Valuable Player.

Head coach Pete Stapleton said of Veeder, "Although her season was shortened by injury, her presence and prowess on the field is the future of Sage lacrosse." Stapleton added, "She is a dedicated student-athlete and I look forward to having her complete her collegiate career as a Gator." 

Over the course of her first campaign with the Gators, Veeder was selected as a team quad-captain in the pre-season and provided considerable experience and depth to the young Gators's lineup. A midfielder for the Gators, she poured in a Sage single-game record 12 goals and finished with 14 points in the Gators' 19-13 win over Elms.  Her 14 point performance is tied for the third highest performance in Division III in 2012. She led all Sage performers with her single-season record of 42 points on 37 goals with five assists in 12 games played. She added a team-best 29 ground ball pickups and 32 draw controls. She ranks nationally in the Top NCAA Division III statistical leaders this season, including her 3.08 goals per game average as she is 148th of the 300 nationally ranked players.    

Senior Ginelle Butler (Malta, NY/Ballston Spa), a member of the women's lacrosse       team at Sage was named the recipient of the Coaches' Award for her dedication and contributions to the program at Sage.  

Stapleton said of Butler, "Ginelle's collegiate playing career saw her fulfill various roles with the Sage lacrosse program." Stapleton added, "While leading the program in points, she also spent time as starting goalie when needed. Her presence on the field will be missed, but she has laid the foundation for the future of Sage lacrosse." 

A consistent starter for the Gators this past season and throughout her career, Butler graduates as the Gator all-time scoring leader with 40 goals and 47 career points.  She was a four-year letterwinner for the Gators and served a 2012 team captain.  The 2011 Gator of the Year recipient, she holds numerous Sage career records. Her 7 career assists is also tops at Sage, while she has also connected on a record 82 ground ball pickups with 56 draw controls, while causing 21 turnovers.  

Adding to her resume, she has also played in goal for the Gators. She is an applied biology and illustration major at Sage.  A member of the Sage Student Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C), she is also a Dean's List student.   

Rookie Allison Maben (Hudson, NY/Taconic Hills), a member of the women's lacrosse team at Sage was named the recipient of the team's Most Improved Player Award.        

Stapleton said of Maben, "Her ability to go from pole vault to lacrosse shows her natural athletic tendencies." Stapleton added, "As she looks to continue her collegiate career next year as a sophomore the future is bright as a Gator. Her understanding of the game and her dedication to her own improvement as well as the improvement on the team is second to none. It is a pleasure to coach Alison." 

On the season, Maben added a pair of goals with an assist as well as 15 GB's and 6 caused turnovers in her 14 games played this season.