May 1, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Four members of the Penn State women's lacrosse team have been selected to the 2008 All-American Lacrosse Conference Team. Senior midfielder Jessi Lieb (Villanova, Pa.) was named First Team All-ALC while senior defender Linsey Shea (Baltimore, Md.), junior midfielder Kerry Shea (Baltimore, Md.), and sophomore midfielder Theresa Bucci (Hudson, Ohio) were Second Team All-ALC honorees.
For Jessi Lieb, the First Team All-ALC honor is her third consecutive after receiving second team accolades as a true freshman. A Tewaaraton Trophy Preseason Watch List selection prior to each of the last three seasons, Lieb provides Penn State with a dominating presence on both the offensive and defensive ends. Capable of scoring goals at will and stopping an opponent's top offensive weapon, Lieb leads the Nittany Lions in goals (25), assists (9), points (34), and ground balls (32). A First Team IWLCA All-West/Midwest pick in 2006 and 2007, Lieb joins All-American defender Renee Cipro as the only Nittany Lion to earn All-ALC First Team recognition in three straight seasons.
Junior Kerry Shea |
Linsey Shea receives her first All-ALC honor in her final season as a Nittany Lion. A fiery and tenacious competitor, Linsey has emerged as one of the nation's best match-up defenders as a senior. A starter of all 15 games in 2008, Shea was often tasked with locking down opponents' top offensive threats. Versus Northwestern, she held the Wildcats' top scorer, Hilary Bowen, who entered the game with 59 points, to just one goal and one assist.
Kerry Shea earns Second Team All-ALC accolades for the second consecutive year with her 2008 selection. A speedy and aggressive midfielder, she ranks second on the team in goals (20) and points (23) and fourth in ground balls (15) and draw controls (15). Coming to Penn State as a highly touted prospect in 2006, Shea has fulfilled that promise, totaling 57 goals and 11 assists in 39 career games.
Sophomore Theresa Bucci |
The conference honor for Theresa Bucci is her first in just her second season in Happy Valley. One of eight Nittany Lions to start every game this year, she finished tied for third on team in goals (16) and points (20). A dynamic and versatile midfielder, Bucci totaled 15 ground balls, 10 draw controls and 13 caused turnovers, good enough for second on the team. As a freshman, she played in 16 of 17 games, tallying nine goals and six assists.
The Nittany Lions will face Ohio State (10-7) on Friday at 2 p.m. ET in a first round contest of the 2008 American Lacrosse Conference Championship. Should Penn State get past the Buckeyes, it will advance to the semifinals to meet No. 1 Northwestern (15-1) on Friday at 1 p.m. All tournament games will be played at host Northwestern University's Lakeside Field in Evanston, Ill.