Athletics

Carney, Coffey named women's lacrosse Preseason All-America

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Junior defender Lizzy Carney (West Chester, Pa.) and sophomore midfielder Tatum Coffey (Toms River, N.J.) of the Penn State women's lacrosse team were named to the Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-America Second Team.

An IWLCA Second Team All-American a season ago, Carney made the transition from the midfield prior to the 2012 season and emerged as one of Penn State's premier playmakers and a First Team All-ALC defender. Often drawing the assignment of matching up with the opposition's top offensive weapons, she regularly shut down some of the nation's most prolific scorers.

The West Chester, Pa., native finished the season ranked second on the team in ground balls (36) and caused turnovers (16) and also scored five goals, including two during Penn State's run to the NCAA quarterfinals.

The nation's only freshman to earn All-America honors a season ago, Coffey earned IWLCA third-team All-America and Second Team All-ALC recognition after an outstanding freshman campaign. A starter in all 19 games, the Toms River, N.J., native tied for second on the team in goals with 34, ranked third in points (40) and led the Nittany Lions in draw controls (53) and caused turnovers (18).

Coffey's impressive postseason award haul also included two Rookie of the Year Awards (WomensLax.com and SynapseSports.com), a Third Team All-America nod (SynapseSports.com) and an All-America Team recognition (WomensLax.com).

The Nittany Lions, who Inside Lacrosse tabbed at No. 9 in its preseason rankings, will look to build off a successful 2012 campaign that saw the program earn its most wins since 2005 and third straight double-digit win season. Penn State compiled a 12-7 mark as it advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals and defeated five ranked opponents, including three top-10 teams. The Nittany Lions also registered eight road victories, the most by a Penn State squad since the 1989 national championship team.

Penn State will open the 2013 season against Bucknell Wednesday, Feb. 20.

Last Updated December 7, 2012

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