Numerous Greenwich Academy athletes were honored for producing standout seasons on the lacrosse field this spring.

Margaret Maruszewski, who recently concluded her senior year at Greenwich Academy, was selected as a USA Lacrosse All-American. A midfielder, Maruszewski will continue her lacrosse career at Dartmouth College. GA’s 2021 season saw Maruszewski emerge as the team’s leading scorer. She registered 48 points in 11 games and led the Gators in goals, assists and total points.

“She averaged four points per game this season, despite drawing the top coverage or double coverage from our opponents,” GA coach Katie Johnson said. “She’s a midfielder, which makes this even more impressive, considering she had significant defensive responsibilities.”

Johnson noted that Maruszewski had a 70 percent shooting average (75 percent from the line).

“Her work in the backfield was excellent, technically, on the 1-v-1, or tactically as a slide or anticipating an interception,” Johnson said. “She served as one of our two captains this year in a very tough environment and was very encouraging and motivational for the younger players.”

Displaying a lot of drive and a competitive edge, Maruszewski was presented with Greenwich Academy’s Wyman Award, which is given to the player who best exemplifies the skill and the spirit of the game of lacrosse.

Junior Ava Butz and senior Lila Murray were each All-NEPSAC Class A Team selections. Butz tallied 13 goals and four assists this past season for GA, which posted a record of 7-4.

“Her most significant contributions were between the restraining lines, scooping up ground balls and pressuring the opposing team’s offensive transition,” Johnson said of Butz. “She is one of the hardest off-season workers on the team.”

Also a member of Greenwich Academy’s cross country and ice hockey teams, Butz was the winner of the school’s Junior Athletic Award this year. Butz, who has committed to the admissions process at Cornell University, will serve as one of GA’s lacrosse captains in 2022.

Murray, who will play lacrosse at the University of Southern California in 2022, was Greenwich Academy’s defensive anchor throughout the season. She led the team in interceptions and displayed effective and disciplined play.

“Lila was our field general, who kept everyone organized and working together as a cohesive unit this year, even after missing a year of play and many new faces,” Johnson said. “Despite our tough schedule and many close games, she only committed four fouls inside the 8-meter area this year.”

Murray, who captained GA’s field hockey team this past fall, was the recipient of the school’s Athletic Department Award.

Sophomores Ellie Burdick and Ellie Johnson each received All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention recognition. Coach Johnson noted that Burdick contributed significantly in all corners of the playing field, with 14 goals on offense, 32 draw controls (team high) and 10 forced turnovers in her 11 games. 

“She has natural speed and is a great decision maker who rarely makes a poor decision,” Johnson said. “She is also a great soccer player for GA.”

Burdick led the team in gained possessions (52), which is a metric amalgamating draw Control, 50/50 loose balls, interceptions and forced turnovers. 

Johnson, a defender, was the team’s leader in ground balls and forced turnovers this spring and tallied a total of 40 gained possessions.

Coach Johnson, Ellie’s mother, noted that Ellie marked many opponents’ top offensive threats throughout the season. Ellie is a three-sport athlete, as she also plays field hockey and basketball.

Johnson received GA’s Sophomore Athletic Award this year.