HANOVER, N.H. —  The Dartmouth women’s lacrosse team celebrated its Ivy League Championship 2011 season at its annual team banquet, highlighted by the announcement of the program’s annual awards and captains for next year.

In all, eight women were honored with the team’s seven annual awards, which recognize achievements on and off the field, team spirit, academic prowess and loyalty. Just finishing her 19th year as head coach, Amy Patton spoke about the program’s success this season including the Ivy Championship and return to the NCAA Tournament. She also praised each of the seven members of the senior class for their individual efforts on and off the field that led the Big Green back to the top of the league and the postseason.

Offensive MVP: Kat Collins (Darien, Conn.), Sr, Attack & Greta Meyer (Denver, Colo.), Sr., Attack
Co-captains Collins and Meyer provided an intimidating one-two punch on attack for Dartmouth this spring, combining for 91 points including 67 goals. Collins, the 2011 Ivy League Player of the Year and an IWLCA All-American, showed her versatility this spring, posting 43 points (33 goals, 10 assists) while becoming a force on the draw with 26 draw controls as well as 19 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers. Her speed on the redefend haunted opposing players as she routinely chased them down to cause turnovers in the Green’s attacking end. Meyer won the team’s MVP for the second-straight season after leading the Big Green in scoring with 48 points on 34 goals and 14 assists. Meyer had one of the best shooting percentages on the team at 52.3 percent and she also recorded 12 ground balls and eight draws. She was named to the All-Ivy second team, making her a four-time All-Ivy honoree.

Defensive MVP: Shannie MacKenzie (Riverside, Conn.), Sr, Defense
MacKenzie, a co-captain, was the absolute leader of a Dartmouth defense that finish the year ranked seventh in the nation with just 8.44 goals allowed per game. She routinely shut down the opposition’s best player and statistically grabbed 28 ground balls and a team-leading 23 caused turnovers. She was named First Team All-Ivy for the second-straight season and also added IWLCA All-America second team honors to her trophy case.

Most Improved Player: Liz Calby (Darien, Conn.), Fr, Attack
For the second year in a row, the most improved award went to a rookie attacker who truly stepped up her game during the course of the season as Calby became an important contributor for the Big Green’s offense. Calby played in 12 games and cracked the starting lineup four times on Dartmouth’s veteran attack. She finished the season with 14 points on 10 goals and four assists with a team-best .625 shooting percentage.

Class of 1980 Award: Kyra Hansson (Wilton, Conn.), So, Defense
For the woman that best represents herself, the team, the College and community through academics, athletics and community involvement.
Despite missing the entire season with injury, Hansson was an integral part of Dartmouth’s success and team dynamic this spring. Though she could not play, she attended every practice, game and road trip and was an invaluable help to the coaching staff and unwavering supporter to her teammates. Off the field, she excels academically and is involved in a variety of community service projects including serving as a Red Cross volunteer.

Don and Margaret Radasch Award: Georgia Bird (Summit, N.J.), Jr, Defense
Given to the player who has shown extraordinary dedication, true coachability and an unselfish attitude.
A starting defender, Bird showed was a big part of Dartmouth’s team defense this spring, playing in all 16 games with 15 starts and helping her team rank seventh in the nation in scoring defense. Grabbing 11 ground balls, Bird does all the little things to help the Big Green’s defense succeed. She has steadily improved in each season, as a full-time starter the last two years and off the field she has been a supportive teammate and shown great leadership skills.

Patty Pierce Award: Hope McIntyre (Cockeysville, Md.), Sr, Defense
Selected by the juniors, seniors and coaches and presented to the graduating senior who has contributed to the team the most both on and off the field.
Throughout her career, McIntyre has been an exemplary student-athlete and teammate, contributing to the Big Green’s success on the field and serving as a role model for her teammates. As a starting defender this season, she helped Dartmouth to the nation’s seventh ranked scoring defense, tallying 13 caused turnovers and 11 ground balls. Overall, she played in 45 career games with 31 starts. McIntyre is a former Radasch Award winner as well.

Josie Harper Award: Abigail Holden (Alexandria, Va.), Sr, Attack
Named after former lacrosse coach and Dartmouth Director of Athletics Josie Harper, this award is given to the player who has shown love for the game, genuine respect and care for her teammates and pride in Dartmouth lacrosse and hard work.
Josie Harper, former Dartmouth women’s lacrosse coach (1981-92) and athletic director (2002-09) was on hand to present this award to Holden, who has been a selfless and tireless contributor to the Dartmouth program for four years. Whether she was in the starting lineup or coming off the bench, Holden always gave her absolute best effort for the Big Green and showed passion for her school and love for her teammates. For her career, she ultimately played in 44 games with 14 starts, scoring 17 points and as a senior, started half of the games in which she played.

Lastly, Patton announced that rising seniors Georgia Bird (Summit, N.J.) and Sarah Plumb (Wellesley, Mass.) will serve as captains next season.

Dartmouth finished the 2011 season with an 11-5 record, 6-1 Ivy, winning a share of the Ivy League Championship for the first time since 2005 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.