Nov. 8, 2007

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond sophomore Sarah Blythe-Wood was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First-Team, while senior Erin Arthur, junior Alex Malatesta and freshman Michelle Weaver also garnered all-conference honors.

Blythe-Wood was named to the first-team All-Atlantic 10 squad after leading the Spiders with seven goals, 17 points and 41 shots. Arthur and Malatesta earned Second-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors and Weaver was selected to the conference's All-Rookie Team.

Arthur was the leader of a defense that allowed just 15 goals in seven conference games. Malatesta was a midfielder who was instrumental in the Spiders defense, along with scoring four goals for eight points.

"It is always great when your program is represented on the all conference teams," Richmond head coach Gina Lucido said. "I think our focus on team performance definitely trumped individual record setting and overshadowed Erin Arthur's rock solid season as the backbone of team defense. I believe she is the toughest defender in the conference. Alex Malatesta and Sarah Blythe-Wood both contributed to our attacking success and have the potential to be significant threats in the future."

Weaver was an integral part of the Spiders defense as a freshmen, playing in 19 games with 17 starts.

"Michelle Weaver made her mark in the A-10 as a fierce defender and has a wealth of talent to grow into," Lucido said. " It is my hope that as our team matures in our development, that more Spiders will be recognized among the league's best."

The Spiders finished 5-2 in the Atlantic 10, making the conference tournament for the sixth time in as many years in the conference. Richmond has won 47 of the last 50 games against Atlantic 10 competition, but lost to Massachusetts 2-1 in the semifinals of the conference tournament.