May 24, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Five members of the Penn State women's lacrosse team, senior Dana Cahill (Towson, Md.), sophomores Lizzy Carney (West Chester, Pa.) and Mackenzie Cyr (Westminster, Md.) and freshmen Tatum Coffey (Toms River, N.J.) and Maggie McCormick (Eldersburg, Md.), have been recognized by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) with All-West/Midwest Region honors. Cahill, Carney, Coffey, and McCormick were selected to the first team while Cyr was named to the second team.
Penn State's four first team honorees are the program's most since it placed five in 2005 and its five overall selections equal the number from the 2006 season.
The five Nittany Lions are now eligible for inclusion on the IWLCA All-American team, which will be announced on Sunday, May 27. The IWLCA will honor the National All-Americans at the IWLCA All-American banquet on June 16, 2012 at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa.
One of just two goalkeepers to be selected as a Tewaaraton Award nominee, Cahill served as the anchor of a defense that was ranked nationally in the top 20 for much of 2012. A starter of all 19 games this season and 37 straight overall, she ranked among the nation's best in saves, save percentage, and goals against average. In recognition of her standout 2012 campaign, Cahill, a team co-captain, was named First Team All-ALC for the second consecutive season and became the first Nittany Lion to be named ALC Goalkeeper of the Year twice. She will represent Penn State in the 2012 IWLCA/Under Armour North-South Senior All-Star Game on June 16th in Downingtown, Pa.
Carney made a highly-successful transition from the midfield prior to the season and emerged as one of Penn State's premier playmakers and a First Team All-ALC defender in 2012. Often matched one-on-one with the opposition's top offensive players, she routinely shut down some of the nation's best scorers. Carney finished the season ranked second on the team in ground balls (36) and caused turnovers (16) and also scored five goals, including two during Penn State's NCAA Championship run.
Coffey quickly established herself as a force in the midfield in her freshman year, starting all 19 games en route to earning Second Team All-ALC recognition for her standout play. She tied for second on the team in goals with 34, ranked third in points (40), and led the Nittany Lions in draw controls (53) and caused turnovers (18). Coffey earned conference and multiple national honors during the regular season and appeared in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" after scoring a combined 11 goals in road wins over Hofstra and Vanderbilt.
The team's "quarterback" on the attacking end, McCormick showed the composure of a veteran player in what was a brilliant rookie campaign. Despite being consistently face guarded by opponents throughout the year, the three-time ALC Rookie of the Week honoree led Penn State in assists and points. Her 30 assists were the most by a Nittany Lion since Julie Tice had 33 in 2000 and her 59 points equaled Colleen O'Hara's total from the 2002 season. She also garnered national honors, earning Rookie of the Week honors twice by two different media outlets. McCormick was one of three Nittany Lions and two PSU freshmen to earn Second Team All-ALC recognition.
In 2012, Cyr combined with McCormick to give Penn State a formidable duo on the attack. The sophomore ranked second on the team with 34 goals, 23 assists, and 57 points, either setting or tying career highs in all three categories despite missing time with an injury. Among Nittany Lions with more than 25 shots, Cyr led the team in shot on goal percentage (.791) and shooting percentage (.507).
Penn State finished the 2012 season with 12-7 record, earning the program's most wins since 2005 and its third consecutive double digit win season. Five of those wins came against ranked opponents, including three versus top 10 teams. Penn State excelled on the road in 2012, registering eight victories, the most by the Nittany Lions since the 1989 national championship team. Penn State received an at-large bid to the 2012 NCAA Championship, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1999.