WORCESTER, Mass. – Junior Kate Avitabile and senior Racheli Levy-Smith, members of the Holy Cross women's lacrosse team, have both earned national honors for their play in competition from April 13-19. Avitabile was named the National Player of the Week by USA Lacrosse, while Levy-Smith earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association and National Player of the Week honors from Inside Lacrosse.

During Holy Cross' 14-9 victory over No. 17 Loyola (Md.) on Saturday, Avitabile led the team in scoring with seven points on two goals and five assists. Earlier in the week, she dished out three assists in the Crusaders' game at No. 14 Army West Point. On the season, Avitabile has a team-high 55 points on nine goals and 46 assists. Throughout her collegiate career, she has recorded 25 points and 72 assists for 97 points.

In the Loyola game, Levy-Smith totaled 10 draw controls, four caused turnovers and three ground balls. She took every draw on the day as the Crusaders won the draw control battle 13-12, after the Greyhounds entered the contest with the top draw control percentage in the nation. Levy-Smith also recorded 15 draw controls and two caused turnovers at Army. On the year, she now has 158 draw controls, 37 caused turnovers and 36 ground balls. Over the course of her career with the Crusaders, Levy-Smith has totaled a school-record 442 draw controls, 106 ground balls and 84 caused turnovers. 

Holy Cross (6-9 overall, 4-4 Patriot League) returns to action on Thursday, April 23, when it plays host to Boston University at 5 p.m.

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