Thursday, May 6, 2004

MILLER, PEACH EARN ALL-NESCAC WOMEN'S LACROSSE HONORS

MEDFORD – The Tufts University Women's Lacrosse team was much improved during the 2004 season, with a blend of young and veteran talent leading the way. Both factions were recognized when the All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) team was announced on Thursday. Senior defender Lauren Peach (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) and sophomore attack Dena Miller (Denver, CO/East) were both named to the Second Team. It marks the first time since 2001 that the Jumbos have multiple representatives on the All-NESCAC team.

Peach was a factor at both ends of the field for Head Coach Carol Rappoli's team. Defensively the team was dealt a blow when it's only goaltender decided not to play. When teammate Sarah Lipson (Arlington, MA/Arlington) gamely volunteered to handle the goal duties, Peach and her mates on defense supported her with play that led Tufts to rank fourth in the NESCAC for scoring defense with 8.71 goals allowed per game. Also a key to the team's transition from defense to offense, Peach scored eight goals and had eight assists for 16 points. Five of her goals and five assists came in NESCAC play. Peach finished her career with 30 goals and 25 assists for 55 points.

Miller was one of NESCAC's top 10 goal scorers in her sophomore season. She finished with a team-high 34 goals and nine assists for 43 points, tied for 10^th in the conference with 3.07 points per game. She had an impressive 22 goals with seven assists for 29 points in nine conference games. She had six goals in a win over Bates on April 10 and four against Williams on April 3. In two seasons with the Jumbos (26 games), Miller has scored 51 goals and is on pace to become a 100-goal scorer.

Tufts finished with a 7-7 overall record and earned its first NESCAC post-season tournament berth since 2001. Unfortunately, they got matched up against defending national champion Amherst College and lost, 13-7, in the first round.

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