Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Garner Three All-Conference Nods
11/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 2, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Three Indiana women's soccer players were named All-Big Ten, two of which were also named to the All-Freshman Team, the conference office announced Thursday, Nov. 2. Senior defender Lauren Lamping, freshman defender Kelly Lawrence and freshman midfielder Christie Kotynski were honored by the conference. Indiana's three selections were the most since 1998.
Lamping, Lawrence and Kotynski were all named second-team all-conference after helping the Hoosiers to a 5-4-1 conference mark and the fourth seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Lawrence and Kotynski were both also named to the All-Freshman Team, with Lawrence garnering one of just two unanimous selections. Additionally, junior midfielder Lindsay McCarthy was given the Sportsmanship Award for IU.
Illinois, which came up just one point short of the conference championship, took home three of the major awards, as senior forward Ella Masar was named Player of the Year, freshman forward Chichi Nweke won Freshman of the Year and defender Emily Zurrer was named co-Defensive Player of the Year. Penn State's Ali Krieger joined Zurrer as co-Defensive Player of the Year, while head coach Paula Wilkins was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
The Hoosiers landed a player on the All-Freshman Team for the fourth consecutive year, but placed two players on the team for the first time. The three selections to the all-conference team were the most since 1998, when Tracy Grose was a first team selection and Ashley Davis and Nikki Porter were second team honorees.
Lamping had her most successful season as a Hoosier in her senior campaign. The St. Louis, Mo., native has scored two goals and a team-leading five assists while starting every game on a defense that has allowed its opponents just 13 goals this season. Lamping posted her first career goal on Sept. 2 against Texas Tech and followed that up with her second three weeks later against Minnesota on Sept. 22. Her five assists are the most by a Hoosier since Megan Pipkens posted seven assists in 2004.
Lawrence quietly had a stellar season at the back for Indiana after bringing a slew of international experience to Bloomington. The freshman tallied just one assist in the regular season - a free kick to set up a game-tying goal by Kotynski - but started the final 18 games for IU and helped the defense lead the conference in both goals and shots allowed. She and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher were the only unanimous selections to the all-Freshman team.
Kotynski was a standout for the Hoosiers in her debut season at midfield, contributing on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. She scored four goals on the season, including the game-winner on Sunday, Oct. 1, against Michigan. The 5-11 native of Hudson, Ohio, was a force in the air, scoring three goals on headers and competing for nearly every ball in the air in the midfield.
McCarthy was one of the leaders for the Hoosiers, as the tri-captain scored a pair of goals, both of which were game-winners. The Galloway, N.J., native was a symbol of competitiveness and fair play for the Hoosiers throughout the season.
Indiana will take on Michigan in the opening round of the conference tournament on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in University Park, Pa. The Hoosiers defeated the Wolverines 2-1 on Oct. 1, as freshman Kristin Arnold scored a goal and an assist in the contest.
