Nov. 15, 2017
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State lacrosse midfielders Mackenzie Lech, Harlowe Steele and Natalie Peel have been named team captains for the upcoming 2018 season as announced by seventh-year head coach Kylee White.
"The team has chosen exceptional representatives for our program and have expressed extreme respect and confidence in these players' ability to lead us toward a conference championship," White said.
"Mackenzie, Harlowe and Natalie all share a team-first mentality yet each bring something different to the table in terms of leadership styles. All three are a source of energy for the team; they love to play and most importantly, they care deeply about their teammates. Together they will bring our team closer both on and off the field."
A starter in all 18 games last season, Lech garnered second-team all-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) accolades as a junior in 2017, contributing to an Aztec defense that ranked 15th in the nation with nearly 11 caused turnovers per game. The Milton, Georgia, product recorded 40 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers on the year, which was tied for seventh and ninth in the conference, respectively.
A native of British Columbia, Canada, Steele started 17 of 18 matches during her sophomore campaign last year, ranking second on the squad with 30 draw controls to with nine goals, 26 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. In the MPSF quarterfinals against Oregon last April, she notched one goal, two assists, two draw controls and two ground balls, helping SDSU cement its first-ever postseason victory. Earlier, Steele was selected MPSF Defensive Player of the Week for a pair of outstanding performances in the final two regular-season games at UC Davis and Stanford, compiling six draw controls, four ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Peel, meanwhile, made 13 starts in 18 appearances as a sophomore in 2017, ranking seventh on the team with 15 goals, including seven on free position attempts. The Mount Laurel, New Jersey, product recorded two goals in five different contests, including the Aztecs' victories over Detroit Mercy, Boston University and Saint Mary's. In addition, she tied her career-best with three ground balls in a pivotal overtime win over California.
In addition to their on-field success, all three players have excelled in the classroom, earning MPSF all-academic distinction last season, including Lech, a second-time honoree who also joined Steele on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Zag Sports Academic Honor Squad.
Along with Lech, Steele and Peel, San Diego State boasts 20 additional returners who will join a talented crop of freshmen looking to build on the momentum of last year, which saw the Aztecs register a program-high 10 victories, punctuated by its first-ever postseason win with an 18-13 triumph over Oregon in the MPSF Tournament.