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(Lock
Haven, Pa.) - Four
women’s soccer players from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania were
honored as NSCAA/adidas All-Northeast Region team members as recently released.
Three Lady Eagles, Shannon Becker (Durham/Palisades), Naomi Clarke
(Cambridge, New Zealand/St. Peter’s School), and Becky Nichols (Wind
Gap/Nazareth), merited First Team honors, while Kristi Ward
(Philadelphia/Nazareth Academy) garnered Second Team accolades.
The three first team honorees are now eligible for nomination for an
All-America award.
It is the inaugural appearance on the all-region list for junior
defender Shannon Becker. Becker
also made the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) list for the
first time this season, nabbing First Team honors
after helping lead a defense that allowed just 0.89 goals and 6.8 shots per
game. Additionally, of LHU’s 17
wins, 10 were of the shutout variety. Becker added one goal and one assist to
the Lady Eagles’ offensive attack this season.
Sophomore midfielder Naomi Clarke is a repeat First Team
selection, going on to earn All-America honors in her freshman season. A two-time First Team All-PSAC player and the conference’s
Rookie of the Year last season, Clarke was LHU’s second-leading scorer after
pocketing 32 points on 12 goals and eight assists.
Clarke accounted for six game-winners, including the clincher in
double-overtime against West Chester University during the regular season.
This season’s First Team All-Northeast Region selection marks the
third time in as many years for Becky Nichols, who went on to earn Third
Team All-America honors last season. A junior midfielder, Nichols is also a
three-time all-conference selection. She
recorded five goals and three assists this season, and posted one game-winning
score, a double-overtime goal to lift LHU over Edinboro, 2-1.
Kristi Ward, a junior midfielder, makes her second appearance
among the regional elite, achieving Second Team All-Northeast Region
recognition this season. A
two-time all-conference player, Ward recorded seven goals and seven assists for
21 total points, her best season output yet.
The Lock Haven University women’s soccer team finished the season with
an 18-4 overall mark, a program-best for wins, and captured both the PSAC and
NCAA Division II Northeast Region championships.
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(top l-r): Shannon Becker, Naomi Clarke;
(bottom l-r): Becky Nichols, Kristi Ward
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