Salisbury earns a program best five IWLCA All-American honors
CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. - The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) released its 2009 Division III All-American teams on Thursday and five Salisbury University student-athletes garnered All-American honors. The IWLCA recognized 48 student-athletes in Division III to one of the three All-American teams for their performances on the field in ‘09.
The Sea Gulls (20-2) had three athletes garner first-team All-American honors in seniors Robyn Bishop, Sarah McKinley and Sonja Stuart. Junior Beth Rhodey was named to the second team and senior Holly Johnson collected third team honors.
This is the second consecutive season that Bishop has been named to the All-American first team. The Columbia, Md., native started all 22 games for the Sea Gulls and led the team in goals (61), draw controls (72) and free position goals (14). Bishop finished the season with 75 points, 14 assists, five game-winning goals, 32 ground balls and 24 caused turnovers.
McKinley collects first-team All-American honors for the first time in her two years on the Sea Gull roster. The Timonium, Md., native was a key contributor on defense for the Sea Gulls as they were the sixth best scoring defense in the nation. McKinley scored two goals, had one assist, 29 ground balls, won 20 draw controls and caused 18 turnovers.
Stuart garners All-American honors for the first time in her four-year career. The senior goalie was a major factor why the Sea Gulls played in their second national championship game in three years. The Rockville, Md., native played and started in 21 contests between the pipes for SU. Stuart logged 1,163 minutes in goal and finished with a record of 19-2. The senior made 141 saves, scooped up a team-high 48 ground balls, and finished with a goals against average of 7.94 per game (ranked seventh in the nation).
Rhodey makes her first appearance on the All-American team as she had another strong season for the maroon and gold where she was named Chesapeake All-Region for the second consecutive season. The Fallston, Md., native finished with 77 points, 54 goals, 23 assists, 36 ground balls, 32 draw controls, five game-winners, 13 free position goals and 16 caused turnovers.
This marks the first time in Johnson's four years at SU that she garnered All-American honors as she was named to the third team. Johnson played and started in 20 games this season and scored 10 goals. The Germantown, Md., native scooped up 29 ground balls, won eight draw controls and caused 19 turnovers.
The five All-Americans this season is the most the Sea Gulls have ever had in one season as the previous high was four, which occurred the past four seasons. The five All-Americans now bring the program total to 35 which includes 16 on the first-team, eight on the second team and 11 on the third team since 1978. SU coach Jim Nestor has coached 24 All-Americans since he took over the program at his Alma Mater in 2002.
Salisbury's five All-Americans will be honored by the IWLCA and US Lacrosse at an awards banquet on Saturday, June 13, in King of Prussia, Pa.
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