Manhasset resident Claire Quinn was recently named a Third-Team All-American by the Intercollegiate Lacrosse Women’s Coaches Association (ILWCA). A sophomore at Northwestern University, Quinn proved to be one of the best defenders in the country in her second season with the Wildcats.
“We’re so excited,” said Quinn’s mother Marjorie. “It’s such a competitive sport and the sport has grown so much. There are so many good players. Every game is such a battle. There are teams all over the country that are great so to just be included in the All-American is such an honor.”
Quinn’s successful lacrosse career began in high school where she was an Under Armour and U.S. Lacrosse All-American in 2015 and an Under Armour Underclass All-American in 2014. She led St. Anthony’s CHSAA championships in both 2014 and 2015, was named All-Long Island and All-Metro as a senior and was a member of St. Anthony’s team when it was ranked preseason No. 1 by USA TODAY.
She then went on to play on the Under 19 Women’s National team that earned silver at the 2015 Rathbones U19 World Championships, where she averaged 1.63 ground balls and 0.75 caused turnovers during the game.
Quinn’s freshman year at Northwestern saw a few injuries, but the defender came back strong, appearing in 13 games and starting in six games.
Quinn proved to be one of the best defenders in the country in her second year at Northwestern, having started all 21 of the team’s games as a defender as well as leading the team in caused turnovers per game and setting the fifth-best mark in program history with 36 total. She was ranked 41st nationally with 1.84 caused turnovers per game. Quinn finished the season with 45 ground balls, which was tied the 10-best mark in the season. Along with her other achievements, Quinn finished this year’s season with the most goals completed by a defender on the team at a total of eight goals.
To top off the successful year, Quinn was named a Third-Team All-American by the ILWCA. Inside Lacrosse released their first women’s Inside Lacrosse Media All-American Teams, naming Quinn on the second team.
“It’s a group of girls that are so incredibly talented and it’s an honor,” said Marjorie. “There is a lot of talent and so many great players. To make this honor, we’re just thrilled. We’re so proud. We just hope great things for her team going forth.”