May 16, 2006
Washington, D.C. – Notre Dame senior standout Crysti Foote (Suffern, N.Y.) has been named one of five finalists for the 2006 Tewaaraton Trophy that is presented annually to the top male and female collegiate lacrosse players in the country.
The award, the most coveted and prestigious honor a varsity lacrosse player can receive is a symbol of excellence in college lacrosse. The Trophy is presented by the Tewaaraton Award Foundation in conjunction with the University Club of Washington, D.C., on June 1, 2006 at the National Geographic Society Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Joining Foote on the list of five finalists are: Katie Chrest (Sr., Attack, Duke), Kristen Kjellman (Jr., Midfielder, Duke), Nikki Lieb (Sr., Midfielder, Virginia) and Coco Stanwick (Sr., Midfielder, Georgetown).
“It’s an honor to be considered one of the top five women’s lacrosse players in the country. All the finalists are such great players,” said Foote.
“This is really a tremendous honor for me and my teammates and is great recognition for our team and the work we have put in to accomplish what we have so far this season.”
Foote, who sees duty at attack midfield, is in the midst of a record-shattering season for the Irish. A team captain, she has been a major reason for Notre Dame’s NCAA-record turnaround season as the Irish have gone from a 3-12 record in 2005 to a 14-3 mark in 2006, a turnaround of 10 games. The seventh-ranked Irish (14-3) have advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals and will play host to fourth-ranked Georgetown (14-3) this Saturday, May 20 at Moose Krause Stadium beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The Notre Dame All-American candidate has already set single-season records for goals (68), assists (34), points (102) and draw controls (42). Earlier this week, she was named the BIG EAST attack player of the year and a unanimous first team all-BIG EAST selection for the second season in a row.
“It’s a tremendous honor for both Crysti and a great milestone for the program,” said head coach Tracy Coyne, the 2006 BIG EAST coach of the year.
“She is finally getting the recognition that she deserves. Reaching this level is something that she has earned with a lot of hard work. She has stepped up all aspects of her game this year and the numbers speak for themselves. Most importantly, she has done it within the team concept. Her main goal is always to do whatever helps the team win.”
Coyne added, “Crysti really benefited from playing in the World Cup last summer. I always knew she could do it. Playing the way she did against the top players in the world proved something to her and we are seeing the results this spring.” Foote comes into this week tied for third in the nation with 102 total points and is second in points per game with 6.00. Her 68 goals are second overall and she is tied for the top spot with Loyola’s Kate McHarg with 4.00 per game. Foote also has 34 assists on the year is the ninth-best total and her 2.00 assists per game ranks 10th overall.
A marketing major at Notre Dame, Foote will graduate on Sunday, May 21st. Her record season has also elevated her to the top of the Irish all-time record books. She is first in goals (155), first in assists (70), first in points (225), second in draw controls (99), 11th in ground balls (91) and 10th in caused turnovers (44).