May 3, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a pair of big wins this weekend, a pair of Wildcats added more American Lacrosse Conference weekly honors to their impressive resumes. Senior Katrina Dowd (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) was tabbed the ALC's Offensive Player of the Week while freshman Taylor Thornton (Dallas, Texas/Hockaday School) picked up Rookie of the Week honors. In addition, Thornton was also tabbed the WomensLax.com National Rookie of the Week.
Dowd registered five points each in Northwestern's victories over fourth-ranked Virginia and Florida over the weekend. Against the Cavaliers, Dowd registered four goals, including a pair in the first overtime period to help the Wildcats to the 11-8 victory. She also added an assist, four ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers. Against the Gators, she scored twice within the opening two minutes, then dished out three assists in the dominating 19-5 victory. Dowd, a Tewaaraton Trophy nominee, leads Northwestern in points (81), goals (57), assists (24) and ground balls (32) and ranks second in draw controls (47).
Thornton played a key role in the victory over Virginia Friday, scooping up four ground balls while forcing three Cavalier turnovers. She followed up that effort by scoring a goal against Florida Sunday, her third of the year. Thornton also played a vital role in the Northwestern backfield, holding Virginia to eight goals and Florida to just five, well below their season averages of 13.35 and 13.00 respectively. She leads the Wildcats with 24 caused turnovers while ranking second in ground balls (27) and fifth in draw controls (20).
Neither Dowd nor Thornton are newcomers to achieving ALC weekly honors, as this marks the fourth time in 2010 Dowd has been named the conference's Player of the Week. Thornton earns her second Rookie of the Week accolade after also tallying a Defensive Player of the Week award earlier in the year. Six different Wildcats have now earned 11 ALC weekly honors, which leads the conference.
Dowd, Thornton and the rest of the Wildcats are gearing up for the postseason, getting set for the American Lacrosse Conference Championship in Columbus, Ohio this weekend. Northwestern, the tournament's top overall seed, will face the winner of the Ohio State - Penn State quarterfinal at 2 p.m. CT Friday, May 7. Should the Wildcats advance to the championship game, the opening draw is schedule to take place at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, May 8.
2010 Northwestern ALC Player of the Week Honors
March 1 - Katrina Dowd (Offensive)
March 8 - Katrina Dowd (Offensive), Maggie Bremer (Defensive)
March 22 - Brianne LoManto (Defensive)
March 29 - Taylor Thornton (Defensive), Ali Cassera (Rookie)
April 12 - Katrina Dowd (Offensive), Taylor Thornton (Rookie)
April 26 - Danielle Spencer (Offensive)
May 3 - Katrina Dowd (Offensive), Taylor Thornton (Rookie)
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