CANTON, Ga. - Three teams hold major award winners for the 2026 Southern Athletic Association Women's Lacrosse accolades.
Rhodes led the way in the 2026 season, claiming the majority of the conference’s top honors. Daryn Raleigh was named Defensive Athlete of the Year, Sam Horowitz earned Midfielder of the Year, Annabelle Kinzel shared Goalkeeper of the Year honors, and Sadie McRae was tabbed Rookie of the Year. The Lynx also secured Coaching Staff of the Year recognition under head coach Ellison Sherrill.
Oglethorpe made history with its first-ever major award winner, as Madelyn Gardner claimed a share of Goalkeeper of the Year honors.
Sewanee’s Marlin Price rounded out the major awards as Offensive Athlete of the Year, earning the distinction for the second consecutive season.
Price delivered another dominant campaign for the Tigers, finishing with 46 goals and 40 assists for a conference-leading 86 points. A three-time SAA Offensive Athlete of the Week, she started all 16 games and impacted both ends of the field, adding 18 caused turnovers and 28 ground balls. Her 5.38 points per game led the conference, cementing her status as one of the league’s most dynamic players.
For Rhodes, Raleigh anchored the Lynx defense with 27 caused turnovers, including 16 in conference play, while also collecting 44 ground balls. Her physical presence and consistency made her a key piece in Rhodes’ defensive success.
Horowitz, the SAA Midfielder of the Year, tallied 32 goals and recorded four games with four or more goals. His high motor and efficiency played a crucial role in Rhodes’ ability to capitalize in key moments throughout the season.
Kinzel, a first-year goalkeeper, posted 12 wins and 100 saves while facing 321 shots. Her poise and consistency in the cage helped guide the Lynx to a 13-3 overall record and a perfect 5-0 mark in conference play.
McRae emerged as one of the top playmakers in the league, leading the SAA with 50 assists and averaging 3.13 assists per game. She also led Rhodes in total points and assists while ranking among the top assist leaders nationally, earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Sherrill guided Rhodes back to the top of the conference, reclaiming the SAA Regular Season title after Sewanee held the honor last season. The Lynx captured their ninth overall regular season championship, a milestone season recognized with Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
Gardner’s historic season for Oglethorpe included 150 total saves, ranking among the top performers in NCAA Division III. She also recorded a season-high 18 saves in a standout performance against Centre, solidifying her place as one of the conference’s elite goalkeepers.
Offensive Athlete of the Year – Marlin Price, Sewanee
Defensive Athlete of the Year – Daryn Raleigh, Rhodes
Midfielder of the Year – Sam Horowitz, Rhodes
Goalkeeper of the Year – Annabelle Kinzel, Rhodes & Madelyn Gardner, Oglethorpe
Rookie of the Year – Sadie McRae, Rhodes
Coaching Staff of the Year – Rhodes College
First Team All-Conference:
Attack:
Marlin Price, Sewanee
Caroline Kardian, Rhodes
Payton Stevens, Rhodes
Sadie McRae, Rhodes
Midfield:
Ellis Mitchum, Oglethorpe
Sam Horowitz, Rhodes
Dani Taraska, Berry
Defense:
Ella Townsend, Sewanee
Daryn Raleigh, Rhodes
Rory Monahan, Rhodes
Leah Jackson, Centre
Goalkeeper:
Madelyn Gardner, Oglethorpe
Annabelle Kinzel, Rhodes
At-Large:
Izzo Palmer, Sewanee
Elizabeth Mitchell, Centre
Sally Herrington, Sewanee
Ellen Lewis, Sewanee
Sally Whitehead, Sewanee
Second Team All-Conference:
Attack:
Gracie Garner, Centre
Delaney O'Mailey, Rhodes
Mariah Butler, Oglethorpe
Lillie Swanson, Berry
Midfield:
Maddie Bevier, Rhodes
Anna Conza, Oglethorpe
Sophia Richardson, Centre
Defense:
Elisabeth Vickery, Berry
Helen Newcomb, Sewanee
Katie Collier, Berry
Goalkeeper:
Mary Haley, Centre
Hannah Colvin, Southwestern
At-Large:
Anna Ramsden, Oglethorpe
Savannah Freeman, Oglethorpe
Kennedy Harcourt, Sewanee
Sportsmanship Team:
Berry – Isabel Pregont
Centre – Lauren Elder
Oglethorpe – Savannah Freeman
Rhodes – Sam Horowitz
Sewanee – Clara Earley
Southwestern – Peyton Shindler
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at
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