One of the most prolific offensive threats in Ithaca women's lacrosse history, Jessica Welch Shea played on some of the most successful teams for IC during a four-year stretch at the turn of the 21st century.
From 2000-03, Ithaca women's lacrosse won 56 games and reached the NCAA Tournament twice, and Welch Shea was a major factor to that success. In 2001, Ithaca won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game with a 9-8 victory over St. Mary's (Md.)., and in that game, Welch Shea netted two second half goals to complete the comeback win after trailing, 7-2, at intermission.
A four-year starter with 70 games played under her belt, Welch Shea amassed 142 goals and 65 assists for 207 points. She also scooped up 157 groundballs and won 83 draw controls. Her 207 career points rank sixth all-time, while 142 career goals are seventh in program history. Welch Shea also tallied 73 points during her junior season, which ranks seventh, but stood at the No. 2 spot until 2012.
At the conclusion of her senior year, Welch Shea was named an All-American by the IWLCA/US Lacrosse, womenslacrosse.com and Warrior/Inside Lacrosse. She was also selected as the Empire 8 Player of the Year. As a junior, she was named the Most Outstanding Player of the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship.
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