Courtesy: David Petkofsky/UVa Media Relations Freshman Liz Downs was named to the national All-Rookie Team

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Womenslacrosse.com has announced its 2008 All-Americans, with senior defender Claire Bordley earning a first-team nod, while senior goalkeeper Kendall McBrearty and junior Ashley McCulloch were named to the second-team. Freshman defender Liz Downs was selected to the All-Rookie Team. The honors mark a first for each Cavalier.

Bordley was Virginia’s top mark-up defender this year. She recently earned All-South Region honors and following the conclusion of the regular season, was named to the All-ACC Team. She was selected to the ACC’s All-Tournament Team after helping shut down Duke and Maryland’s attack in the second half of the semifinals and finals of the conference tournament.

McBrearty was recently honored as the top goalie in the region and the ACC this season, and is now collecting her first All-America honor. The two-time MVP of the ACC Tournament led the league in GAA and save percentage all season, in addition to being ranked third and sixth nationally in the categories, respectively. She was an All-ACC Team selection this season and was voted the team’s MVP. She finishes her career as one of Virginia’s top goalkeepers, ranking eighth with 331 career saves and ninth with allowing just 7.60 goals throughout her career.

McCulloch anchored Virginia’s offense this season. She put up a team-best 58 points by dishing out a team-high 34 assists with 24 goals. McCulloch earned All-ACC honors this season and was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team after scoring the game-winning goal in Virginia’s 10-9 overtime victory over top-seeded Maryland for the Cavaliers’ third-straight conference championship. McCulloch earned All-South Region honors and a spot on the 2008 WomensLax.com All-American Team. She finished the season ranked second in the ACC, and 18th nationally, with 1.89 assists per game.

Downs earned national All-Rookie honors after helping keep Virginia’s defense among the best in the nation. The first-year started all 18 games and collected 13 ground balls. Her honor as one of the top freshman in the nation makes it three straight seasons that the Cavaliers have placed a freshman on the All-Rookie Team, as sophomores Kaitlin Duff and Brittany Kalkstein were honored last year and junior Blair Weymouth was honored in 2006.