May 30, 2006
Stanford, Calif. - The list of firsts accomplished by the 2006 Stanford women's lacrosse team continues to grow, as two Cardinal standouts became the first players in program history to receive IWLCA/US Lacrosse All-America honors today. Sophomore goalkeeper Laura Shane was named a Second Team All-American and senior attacker Megan Burker was named a Third Team All-American, as announced by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association earlier today.
In addition to being the first Stanford players to earn a spot on one of the IWLCA/USL All-America teams, Shane and Burker share the honor of being the first players from a west coast squad and the first to represent the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Last week, the pair earned All-Regional First Team honors for the first time in school history.
"I am extremely proud to see Megan and Laura earn All-America honors, and be recognized among the nation's top players," said head coach Michele Uhlfelder. "Each in her own right has made special contributions to our season and our program, and now I can say, the game of lacrosse. They are the first west coast players to earn the distinction of All-America, and I couldn't be more excited for them."
 Megan Burker was named a Third Team All-American.  | |
This year, 48 Division I women's lacrosse players from 19 schools were recognized on one of the three teams. Northwestern, the 2006 National Champion, boasted five players in the elite group while runner-up Dartmouth had four representatives. The Atlantic Coast Conference boasted the longest list of players, with 11 athletes earning a spot on one of the three teams.
Shane, one of five goalkeepers to earn All-American recognition this year, finished 2006 with the third-best save percentage in the nation (.556) and was the only Division I goalkeeper to register multiple 20+ save performances. Her 22 saves against North Carolina on April 2 tied for the top mark in the NCAA. She finished the season with 205 total saves, and 105 saves against ranked teams. Just halfway through her career, Shane is within 50 saves of a Cardinal career record. She was named to the All-MPSF Team for her impressive 2006 performance and was one of 21 nominees for the Tewaaraton Trophy.
Burker led the Cardinal in scoring in 2006 with 45 goals and 17 assists. The senior broke the school's all-time scoring record with just 13 seconds left in her career against Northwestern, netting a long-range shot for her 143rd career goal. The team leader in draw controls, Burker also consistently ranked in the top-20 nationally in the category. She was named to the All-MPSF team for the third straight year and was named the 2006 MPSF Tournament Most Valuable Player.
The IWLCA and US Lacrosse will honor the National All-Americans at an awards banquet on June 10 in Baltimore.
First team
Sarah Albrecht, Northwestern, M
Kelly Berger, JMU, M
Katie Chrest, Duke, A
Jenn Cook, UNC, D
Lizzy Cuneo, Dartmouth, D
Crysti Foote, Notre Dame, A
Mary Key, Johns Hopkins, A
Kristen Kjellman, Northwestern, M
Maggie Koch, Georgetown, GK
Tyler Leachman, Virginia, A
Nikki Lieb, Virginia, M
Lindsey Munday, Northwestern, A
Rachel Sanford, Duke, M
Coco Stanwick, Georgetown, A
Lauren Vance, Princeton, D
Kristen Zimmer, Dartmouth, M
Second team
Laura Anderson, Duke, D
Jillian Byers, Notre Dame, A
Becky Clipp, Maryland, D
Delia Cox, Maryland, M
Whitney Douthett, Dartmouth, M
Lindsay Finocchiaro, Northwestern, D
Jenny Hauser, Boston University, A
Kimberly Hillier, Hofstra, A
Leigh Jester, Duke, A
Kelly Kasper, Maryland, M
Lindsey Lewis, Boston University, M
Kate McHarg, Loyola, M
Anne Riordan, Cornell, D
Laura Shane, Stanford, GK
Devon Wills, Dartmouth, GK
Stephanie Zodtner, Georgetown, D
Third team
Megan Burker, Stanford, A
Kylee Dardine, JMU, D
Amber Falcone, UNC, D
Maggie Fava, Cornell, GK
Gaddy Fortune, Syracuse, M
Mandy Friend, Richmond, A
Kristen Hordy, UNC, GK
Aly Josephs, Northwestern, A
Jessi Lieb, Penn State, M
Caroline McGuire, Richmond, M
Caitlin McKinney, Notre Dame, A
Kathleen Miller, Princeton, A
Krista Pellizzi, Maryland, M
Danica Strutt, Boston University, D
Margaux Viola, Cornell, M
Shannon Witzel, Towson, M