NEW HAVEN, Conn. (April 15, 2026) - Georgian Court senior women's lacrosse student-athlete Caitlin Petrellese earned the distinct honor this afternoon of being named the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Student-Athlete of the Month for the month of March.

The award goes to a student-athlete who demonstrates success in competition during the month, while also being a standout in the classroom and giving back to their community.

Petrellese currently leads Georgian Court statistically in ground balls, caused turnovers and draw controls. She is one off the team lead with 34 points and is also second for the Lions with 26 goals and 10 assists. During the month of March, Petrellese was just as productive. In six games, Petrellese scored nine goals with six assists. She won 23 draw controls while also picking up 10 ground balls and causing seven turnovers. Georgian Court went 5-1 over those five games, including a 2-0 mark in CACC play. 

In the Lions final game in March, Petrellese scored her 100th career point. She is a two-time All-CACC selection and was the first player in GCU history to make two All-CACC teams in the same season. She was on the CACC First Team as a midfielder and the Second Team as a draw control specialist in 2025. 

Petrellese has been an exceptional student throughout four years at Georgian Court. A history major, with a minor in politics and law, Petrellese has a 3.99 cumulative GPA. The Bardonia, NY native has made multiple appearance on the CACC All-Academic Team and CACC Honor Roll as well as being a CSC Academic All-District selection and is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Academic Honor Roll. 

She has been heavily involved in Georgian Court Women's Lacrosse's community service efforts. This year alone, Petrellese and GCU women's lacrosse have taken part in volunteer services such as Read Across America, Operation Pillowcase and the GCU SAAC Christmas Angels. The Lions have also worked in conjunction with GCU Campus Ministry to make sandwiches for St. Peter's and contribute to the Hunger Banquet. They have done a broad array of volunteer projects which includes Thanksgiving pillow making at Bella Terra Senior Home and taking Valentine's Day Pictures at Oak Street Elementary School. They have also helped to raise funds for Mary's Place by the Sea, a respite home for women with cancer. 

The CACC Student-Athlete of the Month Award is handed out from September to May each academic year. It recognizes one student-athlete from any sport active during that month. Petrellese is the first Lion to win the award this year.