Feb. 21, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the third consecutive year, senior midfielder Jessi Lieb (Villanova, Pa.) has been recognized on the prestigious Tewaaraton Award Foundation's Women's Preseason Watch List.
Lieb, an IWLCA Regional First Team All-American in 2007 and a two-time All-ALC First Team selection, provides Penn State with a dominating presence on both ends of the field. A four-year starter, she ranked among team leaders in goals, assists, points, ground balls, and caused turnovers in 2007 despite missing all or part of the Nittany Lions' final five games with a foot injury. Lieb was recently named a Second Team Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse magazine and to the Preseason All-ALC team. The 2008 team co-captain is Penn State's leading active career scorer with 105 points (80 goals, 25 assists).
"Everyone is looking forward to see what Jessi is going to do in her senior season," said Penn State head coach Suzanne Isidor. "She continues to be one of the most dominant players in the country. Not only will Jessi be our go-to player, but we are looking for her valuable leadership on the field as well."
The 44 players that compose the list were nominated by coaches across all three divisions and are considered early season hopefuls for the 2008 award. The list will be narrowed as the season progresses, ultimately reaching a list of five players who constitute the award's finalists.
The Tewaaraton Award Foundation, in conjunction with The University Club of Washington, D.C., formally established the Tewaaraton Trophy on August 29, 2000. Today, the Tewaaraton Trophy is recognized as the pre-eminent lacrosse award honoring the top female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse player in the United States. Simply, it is the lacrosse equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. With the inaugural presentation taking place at the University Club of Washington, D.C. in June of 2001, the Tewaaraton Trophy is now presented annually following the collegiate season at a banquet honoring the finalists and winners.
Isidor's No. 14 Nittany Lions will open the 2008 regular season on Sat., Feb. 23 when it visits Temple (0-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10) for a 1 p.m. non-conference game at Geasey Field in Philadelphia. The contest is the first of a two game road stretch, marking the first time since 2002 that the Nittany Lions will open the season with back-to-back away games. Penn State opens its 2008 home schedule on Sun., March 2 when it hosts Colgate in a 1 p.m. contest.
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