Northwestern University Athletics
Koesters Share ALC Weekly Honors
4/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
April 28, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - Senior defenders Ashley Koester and Courtney Koester -- who also happen to be twin sisters -- are in the unique position of sharing this week's American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Week honor. The award was announced late Tuesday.
The Koesters anchored two tremendous defensive efforts last week, as the sixth-ranked Northwestern women's lacrosse team (12-1, 4-0 ALC) knocked off Notre Dame (9-5) and Johns Hopkins (15-8). In those games, Ashley combined for six ground balls, three draw controls and four caused turnovers; Courtney had four ground balls, four draw controls and two caused turnovers.
However, their individual numbers do not stand out so much as the fact that they seemed to be everywhere in leading NU's defense against two of the top offensive teams in the country. The 'Cats held Notre Dame more than seven goals below its average, and allowed the Irish's leading scorer, Meredith Simon (60 points), just one goal. On Sunday, NU held Hopkins more than five goals below its average and effectively shut down the Blue Jays' two leading scorers -- Mary Key (67 points) had just two goals on three shots, while Tewaarton Trophy finalist Heidi Pearce (52 points) did not get a single shot in the game.
The wins were Northwestern's 10th and 11th in a row, which is the second-longest streak in the nation behind only No. 1 Princeton (23 dating back to last season). In addition, NU is the lone unbeaten team left in the American Lacrosse Conference, although the 'Cats still have games left with Ohio (Friday) and No. 11 Vanderbilt (May 6). The Wildcats' No. 6 ranking also marks the first time they have been in the Top 10 since the program returned to varsity status in 2002 -- in fact, it ties the highest rank the program had when it was a varsity from 1982-92.
This is the second time Courtney has received weekly honors from the ALC; she was also a first-team all-confrence selection last year. Ashley, meanwhile, was a second-team All-ALC pick last season. Although both players are seniors, they can come back next year for another season because they will still have lacrosse eligibility.
Ashley and Courtney are the third and fourth players to receive recognition this week -- freshman Kristen Kjellman was named the womenslacrosse.com Rookie of the Week on Tuesday, while junior goalkeeper Ashley Gersuk earned a spot on the insidelacrosse.com National Honor Roll.
