After concluding one of the most highly-decorated and distinguished careers in the history of NCAA women[apos]s lacrosse, former Northwestern great Hannah Nielsen will look to continue that success when transitioning from the playing field to the sideline in 2010.
[quote]I am thrilled to have Hannah join our staff, said head coach Suzanne Isidor. [quote]Her lacrosse resume is obviously one of the best. She is an outstanding person and will be a great mentor to our players. Hannah has had success at all levels of the game and I have no doubt that her coaching career will be a success as well. I am looking forward to working with her at Penn State this season.[quote]
A star midfielder on the sport[apos]s definitive powerhouse program, Nielsen played an integral role in Northwestern[apos]s rise to prominence, helping it win four straight national championships during her time in Evanston. The Adelaide, Australia native ended her career as the Wildcats[apos] all-time leader in points (398) and assists (224) and ranked sixth in goals (174). A three-time IWLCA First Team All-American, she was honored with the prestigious Tewaaraton Trophy and Lacrosse Honda Award in 2008 and 2009. She was also named IWLCA, American Lacrosse Conference, womenslax.com, and womenslacrosse.com Player of the Year after her junior and senior seasons. Nielsen holds several NCAA Division I records, including career assists, assists in a single game (10), season assists (83), and is the NCAA Championship career assist leader (35). Her 398 career points rank third all-time in NCAA Division I history. Consistent and durable, Nielsen registered at least one point in her last 67 games as a Wildcat and started all 88 games of her NU career, posting a remarkable 85-3 record.
Nielsen was a three-year member (2002, 2004-05) of the South Australian U-17 state team, played on the U-19 2003 Australian National Team, and was a member of the South Australian U-21 state team in 2005. Highlighting her international lacrosse career, she scored a goal in a reserve role to help Australia defeat the United States, 14-7, in the gold medal match at the 2005 World Cup. In 2009, Nielsen played on the Australian National Team that advanced to World Cup gold medal match where it was edged by the U.S., 8-7.
Nielsen graduated from Northwestern in December 2009 with a degree in human development and psychological services.