EVANSTON, Ill. — A trio of players from the fifth-ranked Northwestern Lacrosse program were named Big Ten Players to Watch for the impending 2016 while the Wildcats were picked to finish third in the Big Ten in the coaches' poll.
Senior attacker Kaleigh Craig, junior midfielder Sheila Nesselbush and sophomore attacker Selena Lasota were among 18 players (three from each squad) named Big Ten Players to Watch for what will be the second season in which the Big Ten sponsors women's lacrosse.
Lasota was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a Second-Team IWLCA All-American last season after leading Chicago's Big Ten Team with a freshman program record 69 goals and 78 points. She ranked fifth nationally in goals scored, tallying at least two goals in all but one contest. Lasota went on to help Canada claim its first ever U-19 World Championship and was named the MVP of the Gold Medal Game.
Craig was the 'Cats' second-leading goal scorer a year ago with 46 goals. The senior captain has tallied 81 goals in her career despite missing eight games with a lower body injury during her sophomore season. She scored multiple goals in 12 of the final 13 games last season, including a career-high five in the Wildcats' NCAA second round win over Notre Dame.
Nesselbush, a 2015 All-Big Ten selection, was just one of two position players to start all 21 games last season. She was named an IWLCA Second-Team All-West Midwest honoree after leading the Wildcats with 36 ground balls, finishing second with 65 draw controls and rankings fourth on the team with 27 goals scored. She ranked fifth in the Big Ten in draw controls per game (3.10) and recored nine multi-goal games.
The Wildcats were picked third in the Big Ten by the conference coaches behind two-time defending national champion Maryland and 2015 Big Ten Tournament champ Penn State. The 'Cats open the regular season this Sunday at No. 4 Duke and will open big Ten play on March 31 at Maryland.
The 'Cats will host the 2016 Big Ten Tournament at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium May 5-8.
Senior attacker Kaleigh Craig, junior midfielder Sheila Nesselbush and sophomore attacker Selena Lasota were among 18 players (three from each squad) named Big Ten Players to Watch for what will be the second season in which the Big Ten sponsors women's lacrosse.
Lasota was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a Second-Team IWLCA All-American last season after leading Chicago's Big Ten Team with a freshman program record 69 goals and 78 points. She ranked fifth nationally in goals scored, tallying at least two goals in all but one contest. Lasota went on to help Canada claim its first ever U-19 World Championship and was named the MVP of the Gold Medal Game.
Craig was the 'Cats' second-leading goal scorer a year ago with 46 goals. The senior captain has tallied 81 goals in her career despite missing eight games with a lower body injury during her sophomore season. She scored multiple goals in 12 of the final 13 games last season, including a career-high five in the Wildcats' NCAA second round win over Notre Dame.
Nesselbush, a 2015 All-Big Ten selection, was just one of two position players to start all 21 games last season. She was named an IWLCA Second-Team All-West Midwest honoree after leading the Wildcats with 36 ground balls, finishing second with 65 draw controls and rankings fourth on the team with 27 goals scored. She ranked fifth in the Big Ten in draw controls per game (3.10) and recored nine multi-goal games.
The Wildcats were picked third in the Big Ten by the conference coaches behind two-time defending national champion Maryland and 2015 Big Ten Tournament champ Penn State. The 'Cats open the regular season this Sunday at No. 4 Duke and will open big Ten play on March 31 at Maryland.
The 'Cats will host the 2016 Big Ten Tournament at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium May 5-8.