Northwestern University Athletics
Three Wildcats Earn Big Ten Conference Honors
11/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 2, 2006
EVANSTON, ILL. -- Three Wildcats earned Big Ten Conference honors, the conference office announced Thursday. Junior forward Kelsey Hans (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville) was named to the All-Big Ten second team while freshman defender Leigh Jakes (McDonough, Ga./Eagle's Landing) earned a spot on the All-Freshman team. Junior midfielder Shannon Schneeman (St. Paul, Minn./Cretin Derham Hall) received the Big Ten Sportsmanship honor for the 'Cats.
Hans' honor marks the 13th-consecutive year Northwestern has placed at least one member on the Big Ten's first and/or second teams. Jakes becomes the fifth Wildcat to receive All-Freshman team honors.
Hans leads the Wildcats in goals with seven and shots with 61, good enough to place her among the conference leaders in goals, shots and points. Hans netted two game-winning goals in Big Ten play, scoring in the second minute of Northwestern's 1-0 win over Minnesota, and notching a tally in the 27th minute of the Wildcats' 1-0 win over then-16th-ranked Indiana. She is second on Northwestern's all-time career list for goals and points and the 'Cats are 5-0-1 this season when Hans scores at least once.
"I think it's a great honor for Kelsey," Erickson said. "She scored some huge goals for us in Big Ten play and when she is playing at her best, we have a great chance to win."
Jakes became a regular starter at the beginning of Big Ten play and has since become a fixture on the Wildcat backline. Fellow defender Laura Janowitsch (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) was named to the All-Freshman team in 2005.
"Leigh was very important for us in the back line with her athleticism," Erickson said. "She will continue to be a force in the Big Ten as she gets better."
Assistant coach Danielle Slaton, a former defender for the U.S. National Team, has been impressed with Jakes' first season on defense for the 'Cats.
"Leigh is such an easy player to coach because you know she is going to be able to continue to grow, learn and do great things," Slaton said. "She battled through some injuries and because of her amazing focus and dedication she has become a mainstay in our lineup."
Schneeman receives the Big Ten sportsmanship award for Northwestern after returning from injury to become a leader and a contributor everywhere on the field for the Wildcats. Schneeman, a member of the 2003 Big Ten All-Freshman team and a five-goal scorer in 2004, missed all of 2005 due to injury and made an impact from the first contest of 2006. Schneeman scored Northwestern's first goal of the season in a 2-1 win at DePaul. She followed that up with another goal in the same weekend against Kentucky. She has totaled 12 points on four goals and four assists and is a perfect 2-for-2 on penalty kicks.
"I'm very pleased Shannon is being honored in some way because she is what you want your student-athletes to be both on and off the field," Erickson said. "She has been a huge player for us all year."
The Wildcats are set to play top-seeded Penn State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday at 3:30 p.m. CT.
Big Ten Tournament Page.
Big Ten Specialty Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Ella Masar, ILL
Defensive Co-Players of the Year: Emily Zuerrer, ILL, and Ali Krieger, PSU
Freshman of the Year: Chichi Nweke, ILL
Coach of the Year: Paula Wilkins, PSU
For the complete All-Big Ten selections visit www.bigten.org.
