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Messiah Gets Five To All-Conference; Geiman Voted Best Rookie
Messiah's 2008 All-MAC selections were (from top left to right): Freshman Kara Geiman, senior Jessica VanHook, senior Kirstyn Wheeler, junior Jackie Dando and junior Brianne Brennan.
Annville, PA — Freshman Kara Geiman was tabbed Middle Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year while four other Messiah women’s lacrosse players joined her on all-league first and second teams, the conference announced Tuesday. Seniors Jessica VanHook and Kirstyn Wheeler joined Geiman on the MAC First Team, while juniors Brianne Brennan and Jackie Dando were selected to second-team honors. “We are very pleased to have five all-conference players this year, but of course all of these players would not be what they are without the whole team,” said Heather Greer, Messiah head coach. “We’re always happy to be recognized by other league coaches, and these are tremendous honors.” Conference coaches found it hard not to notice Geiman’s stellar play, as the freshman midfielder led Messiah in goals (65), assists (22) and points (87). She converted 575 percent of her 113 total shots, making 65.5 percent of her 74 shots on goal. She added 25 ground balls and 24 draw controls — fifth and sixth best marks on the team, respectively — scoring nine of 19 free position shots. “Kara has had a great first year in her college career and we are pleased that the other coaches in our conference recognized that and honored her with the rookie of the year award,” Greer said. “There was a buzz about her all season and she became known for her strong drives to the cage and carefully placed shots. It is impressive that she runs the middle line and still has found the back of the net as many times as she has. In the second half of the season she has become more dominant on the draw with her one-hand grabs, and that has given us the possession that we have needed. She has been a tremendous immediate impact player for us and we are looking forward to her finishing strong this year.” Two staples of Messiah’s program — VanHook and Wheeler — again were impressive, each doing their thing on opposite ends of the field. VanHook finished second to Geiman in goals scored (41), while coming up with 38 draw controls, equaling a team best. Wheeler, who missed five league games with a concussion, still managed to lead the team with 49 ground balls, causing 37 turnovers from her defensive position. “Jess and Kirstyn are both going to be deeply missed next year,” Greer said. “Jess has been faced-guarded a few times this year and she handled each time as a challenge and an opportunity to get better. Her reach goes beyond most and she really has used that to her advantage on the draw and in front of the net. She has been a tremendous leader for us this year and her quiet spark has got the team going many times this season. “Kirstyn has strived for excellence every single day this year,” Greer continued. “She has continued to push herself to get better each and every day and has brought her personal game to a career high. She has incredible hustle and leads her team by example. She has brought our defense to a new level this year and has become one of the best defenders in this program's history.” Greer will lean on Geiman and Messiah’s two second-team performers in Brennan and Dando next season, as Dando dished out 18 assists while scoring 36 goals — numbers equating to 54 points, the second highest total on the team. Brennan came up with 48 ground balls (the Falcons’ second-highest mark) while causing a team-leading 43 turnovers, adding two goals on just three shots. “Jackie Dando is the quickest player usually out on the field on any given day,” Greer said. “She may be small in size but she is big in the way she plays. She is constantly communicating on the field, which has become invaluable this year for us. Bri anticipates the next move better than most and that is what makes her such a great defender. She goes after attackers and reads passes better than anyone. She is tough as anything and has had tremendous games this year even with a broken thumb and being very sick once right before a game. She is 100 percent athlete and has a passion to improve her own game and the game of her teammates each day. That is what makes her invaluable to this team.” Messiah’s five all-conference selections equaled the second-highest amount in number of any program, as only Elizabethtown College (seven selections) earned more. Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham’s Amanda Wayne was named MAC Player of the Year while the Devils’ coach, Adrienne Booth, was tabbed Coach of the Year. A complete list of conference awards winners and teams is available below. Messiah — seeded third for the MAC Playoffs — will next travel to two-seed Elizabethtown for one of two MAC Semi-Finals. Game time is set for 4 p.m. tomorrow.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Amanda Wayne, FDU-Florham |
