Northwestern University Athletics
Christy Finch, Hannah Nielsen Named Tewaaraton Trophy Finalists
5/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
May 6, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior defender Christy Finch (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) and junior midfielder Hannah Nielsen (Adelaide, Australia/Brighton Secondary) were named as two of the five finalists for the 2008 Tewaaraton Trophy presented by Warrior, given annually to the nation's top collegiate lacrosse player. It marks the second consecutive year that Northwestern has had a pair of finalists for the sport's most prestigious award.
Finch and Nielsen have been the anchors of the Wildcat defense and offense, respectively, and have solidified their place among the nation's elite players. Finch, the Wildcats' team captain, is first in the nation in caused turnovers (61) and second in caused turnovers per game (3.39). Her 174 caused turnovers in her career is currently fifth in the NCAA record books. She also leads the team in ground balls (54) and is ranked 18th in the nation in ground balls per game (3.00).
"Christy is one of the top defenders that I've seen in the game," said Wildcat head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller. "She can take the ball away from people at will. She has been the heart and soul of our program for the past few years and is a tremendous leader."
For Nielsen, this is the second time in as many years she has been named a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist. Northwestern's all-time assist leader, she currently leads the team in points (92) and assists (53). Her 92 points ranks her third in the nation, and she is fourth in points per game (5.11). Nielsen ranks fourth in assists per game (2.94) and her 3.06 draw controls per game is good enough for 15th nationally. She currently is fifth on the Wildcats' all-time points list (234) and is the NCAA record holder for assists in a season (69 in 2007).
"Hannah is an unbelievable playmaker on the field," Amonte Hiller said. "She does everything for us - draw controls, setting up plays, and is our quarterback on the offense. She really is tough to stop because she can dodge, pass, and score. She can do it all."
Northwestern is no stranger to the Tewaaraton Trophy, as Kristen Kjellman was the recipient in 2006 and 2007. Finch and Nielsen join Dana Dobbie and Kelly Kasper of Maryland and Syracuse's Katie Rowan as the five finalists. The trophy will be awarded at the annual Tewaaraton awards presentation at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., May 29.
2008 Tewaaraton Trophy Finalists
Christy Finch - Northwestern
Dana Dobbie - Maryland
Hannah Nielsen - Northwestern
Katie Rowan - Syracuse
Kelly Kasper - Maryland
