WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University women's lacrosse squad held its annual banquet earlier this fall at the Georgetown Conference Center. The banquet honored the 2016 squad for its accomplishments with the graduated seniors returning for the event. The eight team awards were announced and the squad's achievements were recognized.

Midfielder Kristen Bandos (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Academy of Notre Dame of Namur) was named the 2016 Most Valuable Player.

Bandos was a Second Team All-South Region selection as well as a First Team All-BIG EAST honoree for the second-consecutive season. Bandos was tied for first in scoring with a team-best 28 goals and six assists for 34 points. She led the team in draw controls with 39, and was second in caused turnovers with 13.

Bandos is ranked among the program's all-time leaders in draw controls with 72 in her career, and is ranked in season draw controls as well. She was named the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Week on two occasions (4/19 and 4/26), as well as earning two BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll Awards on March 15 and March 29. She was a Preseason All-BIG EAST selection.

Midfielder Kelsey Perselay (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) was named the Most Improved Player. Perselay started all 17 games in 2016 and had 10 goals as well as three assists for 13 points. She was second on the team in draw controls with 32.

Perselay is tied for 12th all-time with 94 career draw controls. She is also in the record books with 37 draws in 2015.

The Bulldog Award, given to a player that displayed outstanding effort and contributions to the squad, was awarded to defender Kassandra Bowling (Monkton, Md./Bryn Mawr School).

Bowling earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST second team as a senior. The defender started all 17 games for the Blue & Gray last season on the backline. She led the team with 18 caused turnovers, and had 21 ground balls on the year.

Attacker Corinne Etchison (Eldersburg, Md./McDonogh School) was the winner of the Kim Simons Coaches' Award for the player that best demonstrates the qualities of coachability, positive attitude and leadership.

Etchison was also a First Team All-BIG EAST honoree. She was fourth on the squad in scoring with 21 goals and a team-best 12 assists for 33 points. Etchison was 3-for-6 on free position shots this past season.

Etchison ranks among the all-time leaders in career goals (83), assists (44) and points (127).

In her career, Etchison had three All-BIG EAST honors with 2016 being her first nod to the first team. She was also named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST squad.

Defender Natalie Miller (Wayne, Pa./Radnor) was given the Denis Kanach Hoya Award which recognizes the unsung hero who best demonstrates unselfish play and true team spirit. Miller started all 17 games for the Hoyas and was second on the team in ground balls with 22. She also had 17 draw controls and 11 caused turnovers.

The Sheehan Stanwick Rookie of the Year award went to midfielder Francesca Whitehurst (Baltimore, Md./Roland Park Country School). She earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST Second Team last season. Whitehurst was tied for squad lead in scoring with 34 points on 23 goals and 11 assists. She was 2-for-5 on free position shots and is third in draw controls with 19.

Whitehurst was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on March 1, and was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll on April 26.

The Star Award was given to the player to earn the most stars throughout the season. Stars were given following each game by meeting statistical goals. This was awarded to Bandos for her efforts on both offense and defense.

The Red Star Award given to the player that best prepared the team for that week's opponent and went to sophomore attacker Taylor Gebhardt (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker). Gebhardt played in all 17 games with 14 starts to her credit. She was tied for first on the team in scoring with 24 goals and 10 assists for 34 points.

The coaching staff also chooses to recognize a person that has made a significant impact on the squad. This year, former Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance Greg Featherston was awarded the Dr. Christopher Joyner 13th Man Appreciation Award, given to the person who contributes to the program behind the scenes.

The event concluded with a musical tribute to the graduates from the senior class, remarks from the Class of 2016 and the playing of the 2016 highlight video.

The Hoyas finished the 2016 season with a mark of 6-11 overall and 4-3 in conference play, which earned a BIG EAST Championship berth. The squad graduated eight seniors and one graduate student, but returns two of its top three scorers in 2017.