Hope College’s Julianna Burlet has been named to the 2019 All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women’s Lacrosse First Team.
The junior from Hinsdale, Illinois (Hinsdale Central HS) is one of three first-team
defenders and 13 first-team honorees.
Burlet helped the Flying Dutch to a team-record 10 wins this season, including five
in MIAA play.
Against MIAA opponents, Burlet topped the MIAA with 29 caused turnovers during league
games. Hope is first among MIAA teams with 117 team caused turnovers in league play.
“Julianna is the anchor and leader of our defense,” head coach Kim Vincent said. “She
is vocal, smart, and decisive. Hope’s conference ranking in the caused turnover category
is due in large part to her skill as a takeaway defender.”
Burlet also collected 27 ground balls against MIAA teams that ranked ninth-most in
the league.
“Julianna is a key player not only in our settled defense, but she also plays to the
restraining line,” Vincent said. “She is fearless in stopping midfield transitions
and in every game we know we can count on her to make a couple of interceptions or
knockdowns that will help Hope regain possession and build momentum in the game.”
The Flying Dutch also had two second-team selections: attacker Carly Pieri of Alto,
Michigan (Caledonia) and midfielder Paige Wilmer of Columbus, Ohio (Upper Arlington).
Pieri finished sixth among MIAA goal scorers with 23 during league play, despite missing
one game due to injury. She also recorded 10 assists against MIAA opponents.
“Carly is a hard-working, consistent and selfless player who leads our offense in
almost every category including total points, goals, assists, free possession goals,”
Vincent said. “We know we can count on Carly for three to four goals per game and
one to three assists. She is also on our center draw team. Her skill and strategy
are key in helping our team be ranked at second in the conference in that category.”
Wilmer tied for fourth MIAA players with 37 draw control wins during league games. She also collected 16 goals and nine assists during MIAA games.
“Paige ranks first on possessions within our center draw control team. She is fast with stamina and plays with composure,” Vincent said. “She's a great all-around player and – a workhorse in the midfield, effective on defense, offense and on the circle. Her skill on taking the draw and gaining possession on the circle helped Hope reach its No. 2 ranking in the conference in draw controls.”