Northwestern University Athletics
Courtney Koester Named to insidelacrosse.com Honor Roll
4/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
April 16, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Sophomore Courtney Koester (Richmond, Ind./Richmond) was one of five women's lacrosse players named to this week's Honorable Mention for National Player of the Week by insidelacrosse.com. The announcement was made Tuesday afternoon.
Dartmouth's Jen Newitt was this week's recipient of the Player of the Week honor.
Koester had a busy weekend in helping the Wildcats to a pair of wins, including their first in the newly formed American Lacrosse Conference. She filled up the box score with two goals, five draw controls, four caused turnovers and three ground balls as NU defeated Ohio University in ALC action, 9-8. Two days later, she added two more goals -- on two quickstick shots -- to propel the 'Cats to a 10-8 win over Duquesne.
Koester and her twin sister Ashley have become one of the pleasant surprises of the women's lacrosse world this spring. Neither one of them had picked up a lacrosse stick prior to Thanksgiving break. However, head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller -- who had noticed them during the fall -- persuaded them to give the sport a try.
The rest is history. Currently, Courtney leads the Wildcats with 30 draw controls -- twice as many as any other NU player -- and is third on the team in scoring with 11 goals. Ashley, meanwhile, has a team-leading 35 ground balls and nine draw controls. Both players are also in double figures in caused turnovers: Courtney has 14, while Ashley has 11.
Wildcat fans may recognize Courtney Koester's name. Last season, she walked on to the women's basketball team and ended up playing in 25 games including one start.
Koester is the second NU player to be recognized this season by insidelacrosse.com. Angela McMahon (Weston, Mass./Weston) earned Honorable Mention honors on March 12 after NU's games against Marist and Richmond.
