May 21, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- The accolades continue for junior midfielder Hannah Nielsen (Adelaide, Australia/Brighton Secondary) as she was named one of four finalists for the 2008 Lacrosse Honda Sports Award. She becomes the fourth-straight Wildcat nominated for the award, as former NU standout Kristen Kjellman is a three-time winner.

Nielsen has continued to establish her status as one of the top players in the country. She ranks second in the nation in points (104), third in assists (56) and is also among the national leaders in draw controls (3.05 per game). The Wildcats' all-time assist leader, Nielsen ranks fourth all-time in points at Northwestern (246), and leads the team in both points and assists this season.

It is the latest in a long line of accolades for Nielsen this season, who was recently named a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist. She has also caputed American Lacrosse Conference Player of the Year honors as well as being named the ALC Championship Most Valuable Player. A two-time ALC Player of the Week, Nielsen and the Wildcats get ready to head to Towson, Md., for the NCAA semifinals against Syracuse (18-2) at 5 p.m. Friday, May 23.

Nielsen joins Dana Dobbie and Kelly Kasper of Maryland and Syracuse's Katie Rowan as this year's finalists. The winner, after nationwide balloting, will become a candidate for The Honda-Broderick Cup, awarded annually to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. In addition to the honor of this selection, American Honda will donate $1,000 to the women's athletic fund of each nominee's university. The winner's program will receive $5,000.

2008 Lacrosse Honda Sports Award Finalists

Dana Dobbie - Maryland
Kelly Kasper - Maryland
Hannah Nielsen - Northwestern
Katie Rowan - Syracuse