ERIE, Pa. - Gannon’s
Kayla Nelson (Oswego, N.Y./Oswego) and
Taryn Millerd (Shortsville, N.Y./Midlakes) have been named to the 2010 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-South Region first team while
Acacia Cook (Syracuse, N.Y./Cicero North Syracuse) and
Mary Eshenour (Waterloo, N.Y./Waterloo) landed a spot on the second team. The IWLCA honored 64 NCAA Division II student-athletes Thursday afternoon by announcing first and second teams for both the North and South Region.
Nelson was Gannon’s top feeder with 67 assists, 17 goals and 84 points. The senior attacker led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and ranked second among all NCAA Division II players in both assists (67) and assists per match (3.53). She ranked seventh among PSAC players in points per match (4.42) and 14th nationally in points (84).
A four-year starter, Nelson is Gannon’s all-time assist leader with 190. She ranks seventh all-time at Gannon in points (234). Her 67 assists this season equaled the second-highest single-season total in school history, narrowly missing the school record by one.
Millerd was Gannon’s leader in goals (77) and points (95). The senior midfielder led the PSAC in game-winning goals (6) while ranking second in goals per match (4.05) and fourth in points per match (5.00). Nationally, she was the best among NCAA Division II players in goals. She ranked fifth in points, 19th in caused turnovers per match (1.68), 49th in assists (18) and 67th in ground balls per match (2.58).
The Shortsville, N.Y., native concluded her collegiate career as Gannon’s all-time leader in goals with 221. Millerd ranks third all-time at Gannon in points (287) and 10th in assists (66). Her 77 goals this season represented the second-highest single-season total in school history, falling 11 shy of the school record.
Cook started 18 of Gannon’s 19 matches in goal this season, producing a 10.29 goals against average and .484 save percentage. The senior goalkeeper ranked fifth among PSAC players in saves per match (9.00) and save percentage. She finished 12th nationally in save percentage, 13th in goals against average, 15th in total saves and 24th in save per match.
The Syracuse, N.Y., native reached double digits in saves nine times this season, including a season-high 17 during a one-goal loss to West Chester. Her 162 saves this season equaled the fifth-highest single-season total in school history. Cook finished her career as Gannon’s all-time leader in saves (619) and ranks third in career goals against average (9.13).
Eshenour produced 68 goals, 12 assists and 80 points. The junior midfielder led the PSAC in free-position goals per match (0.95). She ranked third among PSAC players in goals per match (3.58), third in draw controls per match (2.89) and eighth in points per match (4.21). Eshenour ranked seventh nationally in goals, 18th in points and 28th in draw controls per match (2.89).
The Waterloo, N.Y., native concluded the season sixth all-time at Gannon in goals (178), 12th in points (212) and 16th in assists (34). Eshenour produced the fifth-highest single-season goal total and 15th-highest single-season point total in school history this season.
All four Lady Knights are now eligible for inclusion on the IWLCA/US Lacrosse All-America teams, which will be announced May 25. The IWLCA and US Lacrosse will honor the NCAA Division II All-Americans at the IWLCA/US Lacrosse All-American banquet on June 12 at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa.
Gannon concluded its season with a 12-7 record after a strong run in the PSAC Tournament. The Lady Knights opened the tournament with a convincing 15-9 victory at rival Mercyhurst in the quarterfinals, before bowing at West Chester 19-18 in the semifinals. The squad was unable to maintain a three-goal advantage in the final seven minutes against the Golden Rams.
Head coach Steve Wagner’s squad recorded 12 victories for the second consecutive season, reaching double digits in wins for the sixth straight campaign. The Lady Knights have never posted a losing record during their 15-year history.