Bethlehem --
Baylee DeSmit was named as the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season,the Patriot League announced on Friday afternoon. DeSmit was also joined by
Zoe Willis and
Elizabeth Gallagher on the All-Patriot League teams.
DeSmit earned first-team honors for the third season in a row, and
Zoe Willis was named to the first team, as well.
Elizabeth Gallagher grabbed second-team recognition for the second-straight year.
DeSmit concluded the regular season with the Patriot League lead in shots (103), shots on goal (52), points (32), while tying for the most goals (14) and game-winning goals (5).
She ranks tied for eighth in NCAA Division I in game-winning goals (5), goals per game (0.83) and points per game (1.88) this season, and she also ranks second in shots per game (6.06).
DeSmit's big year ranks her with the third most points and fifth most goals in a single season in program history. She is now a four-time All-League honoree (3x first team, 1x second team) during her career at Loyola, and she becomes the first in program history to be a four-time All-Patirot League honoree since the Greyhounds joined the conference in 2013.
Willis has been a crucial piece on Loyola's back line this season, playing all 90 minutes in 14 games this season, including in the last 13. Willis scored a pair of goals this year, both coming off of set pieces; her goal against Colgate gave the Greyhounds a late lead. She also assisted on the opening goal against Holy Cross in a 2-0 win. Defensive, she has helped Loyola rank second in goals against (16) this season in the Patriot League.
Gallagher earned her second All-League honors after her best season statistically for the Greyhounds. She finished the regular season with six assists, good for tied for second in the conference. She capped off her last regular-season game with the game-winning goal against American, as she put away a cross from DeSmit. Gallagher has been a huge piece for the Greyhounds, showing her versatility by controlling the midfield and joining the attack throughout the season.
The Greyhounds will host the Colgate Raiders on Sunday at 2:00 PM for the Patriot League Quarterfinals for the second straight season.
