University Park, Pa. — Former Penn State standouts Jessi Lieb and Michele DeJuliis were selected to represent the United States in the 2009 Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup June 17-27 in Prague, the Czech Republic. DeJuliis was named to the 18 member roster while Lieb will serve as an alternate.
The team was selected following the Champion® Challenge event in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., this past weekend.
Lieb, a dynamic two-way player, wrapped up a brilliant career in 2008, earning First Team All-ALC honors and First Team IWLCA All-West/Midwest Region accolades for the third consecutive year. The team captain led Penn State in goals (27), assists (9), points (36), free position goals (10), and ground balls (36) in her senior season. Lieb, a three-time Tewaaraton Trophy Preseason Watch List selection, totaled 107 goals, 34 assists, 141 points in 63 career games.
DeJuliis, a 1998 Penn State grad, was one of the greatest players in the storied history of Nittany Lion women's lacrosse. A two-time US Lacrosse All-American and three-time Brine/IWLCA All-American, she ranks prominently in several career statistical categories, including seventh in points (203), eighth in goals (142), and 10th in assists (tie, 61). DeJuliis was inducted into the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2008. An alternate on the 2005 World Cup team, DeJuliis is the senior member of the 2009 squad. The U.S. training team won all five of its games in Florida, including coming from two goals down in the second half to beat Japan 17-11. The U.S. team will be in action again this weekend for the South of the Border tournament in North Carolina, an event highlighted by games against England and Wales.