The Elite Team is selected by the publication’s editors for outstanding performances across the nation. La Vallee becomes the first Hornet to receive national accolades since the program’s inception in 1994.

La Vallee, who earned Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors on Tuesday, scored the game-winning goal in the Hornets’ 1-0 victory over the Utes on Oct. 5. She also recorded two goals during the Hornets’ 4-2 win over San Francisco on Oct. 3. The forward currently leads the team with five goals and 10 points, and needs only four more goals to tie for fifth in the Hornet season record book.

For La Vallee, who currently ranks third in the conference in scoring, it was the second time this season she had scored multiple goals in a contest. She also scored twice during a 3-1 win over UC Davis on Aug. 31. La Vallee joined former Hornets Paula Guarda, Lori Kerswell and Lisa Wrightsman as the only players to record at least two multiple-goal games in a season.

Sacramento State will look to improve its season-high two-game winning streak when the Hornets travel to Saint Mary’s on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. The squad will then open Big Sky play on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m., when it travels to Portland State. The Hornets, who currently lead the Big Sky with a 4-4-1 overall record, will also look to inch above the .500 mark for the first time since the 2000 season.