Thursday, May 26, 2005

MURPHY SELECTED TO INSIDE LACROSSE ALL-AMERICAN TEAM

MEDFORD – Capping a stellar sophomore season, Lauren Murphy (Hingham, MA/Hingham) was recognized by Inside Lacrosse as a Division III All-American for the 2005 season. She was named a Third Team All-American in an announcement by IL this week.

Also this week, as the final post-season awards were named, senior Lauren Herman (Bala Cynwyd, PA/William Penn) was selected to the 2005 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England First Team. Murphy and Herman were the lone Jumbos to earn awards this spring, an indication of the team's strong play defensively.

According to the NCAA Statistics released for games through May 22, Tufts was 14^th in Division III with 12.87 turnovers caused per game. Murphy was second on the squad with 35 and Herman was fourth with 24 in 15 games. Tufts finished fourth in the competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference with an 8.73 goals against average.

Murphy added offense to her strong defensive play this spring. She scored at least one goal in 14 of the team's 15 games, including the game-winner against Wesleyan on April 20. Twice she tallied five points in a game with three goals and two assists against Trinity on April 9 and against Wesleyan. Murphy earlier was named to the All-NESCAC Second Team and to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA)/US Lacrosse New England All-Regional First Team on defense.

Herman scored goals in each of the team's first three games, then settled in to her role as a defensive leader. She twice had six ground balls in a game and added five each in two other contests. She had a trio of games in which she caused four turnovers and she won four draw controls against Wesleyan on April 20. NESCAC coaches voted her to the All-Conference First Team earlier this month.

Tufts finished its season 8-7 overall and was tied for 16^th in the final IWLCA national poll.

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