June 17, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Former Nittany Lion women's lacrosse standout Michele DeJuliis has been named captain of the U.S. team that will compete in the 2009 World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. The event, which will feature match-ups between 16 teams from around the world, is scheduled to commence on June 17 at the SK Slavia Praha Sport Centre, one of the largest athletic facilities in the historic capital city.
DeJuliis, playing in her first World Cup after spending the last 15 years in the U.S. national teams program, will lead Team USA in its bid to recapture the gold medal. The U.S. lost to Australia in the 2005 gold medal match in Annapolis, Md., ending the Americans four-year championship run. DeJuliis was an alternate on that team.
"I don't think any of us have seen the full potential of Michelle DeJuliis, and I don't think we really will," said Team USA head coach Sue Heether. "I think you'll be able to see the potential physically on the field, but to know what happens behind the scenes with people like that -- she's an irreplaceable piece that can draw so many great things out of others."
A 1998 Penn State graduate, DeJuliis had one of the most prolific careers in the storied history of Nittany Lion women's lacrosse. A two-time US Lacrosse All-American and three-time Brine/IWLCA All-American, she ranks prominently in several career statistical categories, including seventh in points (203), eighth in goals (142), and 10th in assists (tie, 61). DeJuliis was inducted into the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008.
Other former or future Nittany Lions who will be competing at the 2009 World Cup are Jessi Lieb (United States), who will serve as an alternate, incoming freshman Katie Guy (Canada), Patty Kloidt, an assistant coach for Team Canada, and Jen Johnson (Ireland).