Angelina Porcello, a junior midfielder from Pace University, was named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year finalist for lacrosse as announced today by Executive Director Chris Voelz of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Porcello is now designated one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DII Honda Athlete of the Year. This will be voted on at the end of the academic year by national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of THE CWSA program, now in its 47th year.

“I am humbled and honored to be considered as a finalist for this award,” said Porcello. “I am grateful I was able to help contribute to an unforgettable season for my team. Winning the Division II Women’s lacrosse championship is a dream come true. Our team’s motto all year was “Why Not Us?” and that has been instilled in me this entire season. I credit my success to my teammates, coaches, and family. I would not be the player or person I am if it was not for them.”

Hailing from Eastchester, N.Y., Porcello led her team to its first national championship title in program history finishing the season at 21-2, including 17 wins over ranked opponents. It was also the first NCAA appearance for the Setters since the program started at Pace in 2015.

Most recently, Porcello was named the DII Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Player of the Year and earned IWLCA Midfielder of the Year honors. She was also named an IWLCA First Team All-American and All-Region First Team honoree while earning NCAA All-Tournament team honors after the Championship.

The midfielder scored 65 goals and 19 assists, placing fourth on the team with 84 points. On the defensive end, she led the team with 142 draw controls, 61 ground balls and 52 caused turnovers.  

Off the field, she earned CSC Academic All-District honors.

“Angelina has had a tremendous impact on our team and is the most tenacious, gritty player I have had the opportunity to coach,” stated head coach Tricia Molfetta.

“Angelina was so invested in our team’s success this year and was the driving force in our first NCAA tournament appearance and the National Championship win. What makes Angelina so special is her energy and love for the game; she does everything with a huge smile on her face and that in turn loosens up all of her teammates. It is not often players can have both a relentless work ethic and the ability to laugh at themself, but Angelina has that combo and it’s what makes her such a great leader and a joy to coach. The moment is never too big for Angelina and she truly brings out the best in everyone around her, I can’t think of anyone more deserving!”

All Honda Sports nominees from DII and DIII become a finalist for the prestigious 2023 Honda Athlete of the Year in their respective divisions, presented in a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 26, 2023, at 5:30 PM ET/8:30 PM PT, in Los Angeles. The Honda Award finalists are recognized in 11 DII and DIII NCAA-sanctioned sports; cross country, basketball, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, and track & field.

The CWSA, entering its 47th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.  

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.