Sam Apuzzo, a junior attacker from Boston College, was named the Honda Sport Award winner for Lacrosse as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) today.
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 42 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. With this honor, Apuzzo becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2018 Honda Cup which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 25, 2018, in downtown Los Angeles.
Apuzzo was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Kristen Gaudian (James Madison), Marie McCool (North Carolina) and Kylie Ohlmiller (Stony Brook).
"I understand some of the best athletes in college sports received this award, so it's humbling and a great honor to be considered, “said Apuzzo. “I feel so grateful for the opportunity that was given to me by the BC coaching staff and the University. And of course, I would not be considered for this award without the support of my coaches as well as my teammates.''
Apuzzo, a junior attacker from West Babylon, N.Y., was the 2018 Tewaaraton Award winner and a two-time Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) first-team All-American. She was also recognized for her stellar conference play and was named the 2018 ACC Attacker of the Year.
She posted a team-leading and conference-leading 129 points on 88 goals and added 41 assists. She also set a program record with 162 draw controls. Her 17 draw controls versus Louisville set a program single-game record. She ranked third nationally in goals scored and points and notched a team-leading nine game-winning-goals.
“While I am not totally surprised by this incredible achievement, I am so excited for Sam, her family and her teammates,” stated head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein. “She exceeds all expectations and heightens the Boston College Women’s Lacrosse program to places we’ve always striven to be. Her leadership and perseverance inspires her teammates, coaches and the City of Boston. She is able to dominate games, tournaments and Championships, all while remaining humble and constantly being an incredible teammate, student and friend.”
Honda Sport Award winners will be presented with the honor during on-campus presentations throughout the year.
The CWSA, in its 42nd year, honors the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.1 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.