NU's Nielsen again wins top lacrosse athlete honors

Northwestern senior Hannah Nielsen of Australia has been honored for the second year in a row as the nation's top collegiate female athlete in lacrosse.

The honor was based on the results of national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards program, now in its 33rd year.

Nielsen's selection will earn her the 2009 Honda Sports Award, given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, along with automatic nomination for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. On the season, Nielsen led the nation with 142 points and 83 assists. She was voted over three other nominees, Jillian Byers, a senior at Notre Dame, Amber Falcone, a senior at North Carolina, and Caitlyn McFadden, a Maryland junior.

This is the fifth year in a row that the Honda Sports Award for lacrosse has gone to a Northwestern player.

"It is an incredible honor," said Nielsen, who led Northwestern to its fifth straight NCAA title. "I definitely have to thank my parents for their constant support, my coaches for helping me to be the best lacrosse player I could be over these past four years, and most of all my team mates for being there every step of the way. I could not do any of what I have done without them."