|
Bucknell Women's Lacrosse Team Awards Handed Out
May 3, 2007 LEWISBURG, Pa. - Sophomore Bonnie Buechel (South Orange, N.J./Columbia) was named most valuable player of the Bucknell women's lacrosse team at its annual postseason dinner on Wednesday night. Buechel, a First Team All-Patriot League selection this spring, earned one of four team awards. The squad also picked freshman Chelsea Peters (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y./Cold Spring) as the most improved player; senior Erin Weinstein (Stanfordville, N.Y./Deerfield Academy) earned the Bison Award as the individual who epitomizes heart, pride and desire of Bison Lacrosse; and junior Ashley Flood (Westfield, N.J./Lawrenceville School) earned the Coaches' Award. Buechel set career highs with 36 goals and 13 assists in 2007, ranking her seventh in the Patriot League in scoring. She also led the Patriot League and ranked 11th in the nation in draw controls with 51, and she was third on the team in ground balls with 31. Buechel, who has now started all 33 games in her career, will enter the 2008 season with a 20-game point-scoring streak intact. This year she had three or more goals in a game seven times, with a high of five in a thrilling 13-12 Patriot League win at Lehigh. She had multiple points in 12 of 16 games, including a career-high seven-point outing (4G, 3A) win a league victory over Lafayette last weekend. Buechel had 11 draw controls in a game against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Apr. 18, the most on record at Bucknell. "When we were occasionally without Bonnie on the field, there was a missing link in the midfield and on offense," said head coach Jess Spadafora. "Her presence was recognized all over the field, and she has proven to be such a dependable player. She stepped up big when we needed her, and she did it everywhere, whether it was scoring a big goal, making a pass or picking up a key ground ball." Peters had a fantastic rookie season, totaling 31 goals and six assists for 37 points. She ranked second on the team in goals behind Buechel and fourth in total points. Her goal total was the highest by a Bucknell freshman since Suzanne Raffaele, the program's all-time leading scorer, had 35 in 2000. After accounting for just two goals in the team's first three games of the season, Peters exploded for four goals and an assist in game four, an 18-5 rout of Long Island in the team's first win of the season. She was especially productive later in the year, scoring 27 points (22G, 5A) in the final eight games, including a six-goal performance against Saint Francis (Pa.) and a four-goal, two-assist effort in a Patriot League win over Lafayette. Peters ranked 11th in the league in goals per game and 17th in points per game. "When Chelsea arrived at Bucknell, we knew she had talent, we just were not sure how long it would take to tap into that skill," said Spadafora. "Fortunately for us she blossomed into an amazing midfielder and became a fiery force from end line to end line." One of three seniors on this year's squad, Weinstein started all 16 games at midfield and finished with eight points on three goals and five assists. She ranked fifth on the team in ground balls with 28 and also added 13 draw controls and nine caused turnovers. A regular member of the midfield unit for the last three seasons, the Dean's List student had a three-assist game against Saint Francis (Pa.) late in the season and finished her career with eight goals and 11 assists. "Erin epitomized the true essence of a student-athlete," said Spadaforta. "Not only did she work hard to become a strong lacrosse player, but she was a valuable leader and role model." Flood tallied four goals and a pair of assists in 13 games as a reserve attack in 2007. She had a career-high three points with two goals and an assist in Bucknell's win over Long Island, and she also had goals in victories over Wagner and Saint Francis (Pa.). "Ashley is loyal, hard working, passionate and a mentor to all the younger athletes," noted Spadafora. "She goes out every day and gives her teammates her all. She can be counted on to do anything, whatever it takes if it will help the team. We are lucky to have a player like Ashley." This foursome helped Bucknell to a 7-9 record in 2007. The Bison tied with Colgate for fourth place in the Patriot League standings, but the Raiders claimed the fourth and final league tournament spot based on a head-to-head victory over Bucknell.
|
MULTIMEDIA 
Photo Galleries 
Facilities Gallery 
Coach's Bio 
Video Player HistoryProspective Student-AthletesFacilities |
