May 5, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Hannah Nielsen (Adelaide, Australia/Brighton Secondary), the reigning Tewaaraton Trophy winner, has been named a finalist for the 2009 award. Nielsen's selection marks the fourth-straight year that Wildcat has been a finalist for the sport's most prestigious award.
Nielsen leads the nation in both points (122) and assists (67), and earlier this season became the Division I all-time career assist leader, surpassing fellow Australian Jen Adams. She currently has 208 assists, and also set a new single-game record with 10 against Duquesne on Feb. 17. Nielsen is now Northwestern's all-time points leader with 378, and was named the American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Year and tournament MVP in each of the past two seasons.
In addition to her offensive production, she also ranks second on the Wildcats with 54 draw controls on the year, including seven in the ALC Championship game against Penn State on May 2. A member of the Australian national team, Nielsen has become the leader of the Northwestern offensive attack and has established herself as one of the top players in NCAA history.
The other four finalists joining Nielsen are Jillian Byers of Notre Dame, Duke's Carolyn Davis, Amber Falcone of North Carolina and Caitlyn McFadden. The winner will be announced in Washington, D.C., on May 28, as Nielsen looks to join former Wildcat Kristen Kjellman as the only two-time winners in the trophy's history.
2009 Tewaaraton Trophy Finalists
Jillian Byers - Notre Dame
Carolyn Davis - Duke
Amber Falcone - North Carolina
Caitlyn McFadden - Maryland
Hannah Nielsen - Northwestern