Lacrosse Awards Announced

April 14, 2004 – The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for lacrosse.  Greensboro and Christopher Newport  led the way with seven members each, followed closely by Methodist with six.  Monarch Emily Neilsen has been named the Player of the Year.  GC's Jenna Gast is the Rookie of the Year.  MC head coach Jill Penrose is the 2004 Coach of the Year. 

Neilsen, a junior from St. Louis, MO, was second in the league in both goals and points per game this season.  She was instrumental in the Monarchs sharing the regular season title, as they posted a 7-5 overall record and 4-1 in the USA South.  Neilsen recorded 43 goals and six assists on the year.  This marks her second year receiving First Team All-Conference (2004, 2002).  She was named to the Second Team in 2003. 

A freshman from Salisbury, MD, Gast helped the Pride split the regular season title with CNU and MC.  She recorded 28 goals and 13 assists.  The Pride finished 4-1 in the Conference and 6-8 overall.  Gast was seventh in goals, sixth in assists and fifth in points per game in the Conference.

Penrose, in her first year at the helm of the Monarchs, led the team to their first Conference title.  They finished 7-5 overall, including going 4-1 in the USA South.  The Monarchs were picked to finish third in the pre-season poll released in February, but finished tied for first.  MC shared the regular season title with the Pride and the Captains. 

The 2004 USA South Lacrosse All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team Attack -   Jenna Gast, Greensboro               Karen Hall, Greensboro               Emily Neilsen, Methodist Midfield - Rebecca Beninghove, Greensboro               Kristen Conques, Christopher Newport               Elaine Kirby, Christopher Newport               Lauren McGonagle, Methodist               Lindsey West, Methodist Defense - Bridgette McGrath, Methodist               Kate Roberton, Greensboro               Amanda Scherer, Greensboro Goalkeeper - Kristen McGuire, Greensboro

Second Team Attack -   Kristyn Hankins, Christopher Newport               Kelly Matagiese, Shenanoah               Sharon Sparwasser, Shenandoah Midfield - Sally Allstadt, Christopher Newport               Erika Bradd, Shenandoah               Tracy Goff, Methodist               Celia Mallory, Christopher Newport               Tracy Weeks, Greensboro Defense - Carlina Figueroa, Christopher Newport               Ginni Matern, Ferrum               Lacey Milburn, Christopher Newport Goalkeeper - Sarah McLamb, Methodist