SALISBURY, Md. – The fifth-ranked Salisbury University women's lacrosse team saw Natalie Held tabbed the 2024 Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Defensive Player of the Year, announced alongside the conference's major awards on Tuesday afternoon.
Held, a junior from Ellicott City, Md., earns the award for the second straight season after taking the honor and earning First Team All-American accolades from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) in 2023. She was even more impressive in 2024, tallying career-highs in draw controls (59), ground balls (43), and caused turnovers (29) across the regular season.
Held claimed 2024 Tournament MVP honors after logging seven draw controls, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers in the C2C Championship against 21st-ranked CNU on Saturday. She was also an all-conference selection for the second consecutive season.
Held and the Sea Gulls prepare to host the first and second rounds of the 2024 NCAA Division III Tournament, watching 24th-ranked Haverford and Cabrini battle on Saturday at noon before facing the winner on Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m.
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 199 conference championships, and 45 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
