May 26, 2009
CHAPEL HILL - WomensLacrosse.com has named University of North Carolina women's lacrosse player Amber Falcone its Defensive Player of the Year, the website announced on Tuesday. In addition, Falcone was named a first-team All-America, becoming the first four-time All-America in program history.
Carolina junior midfielder Jenn Russell earned a spot on the second team, while fellow junior midfielder Megan Bosica was on the third team. Freshman attacker Laura Zimmerman, who tallied her first career hat trick in the NCAA semifinal victory over Maryland, was named to the All-Rookie Team.
Falcone led the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA Tournament championship game on Sunday, reaching the national finals for the first time in school history. Falcone and the UNC defense beat a previously undefeated Maryland team, 8-7, in the national semifinals last Friday night, holding the Terrapins to less than half its normal per-game scoring output.
WomensLacrosse.com writes of Falcone: "Falcone led the Tar Heels to their first-ever berth in the NCAA Championship game after knocking off undefeated and ACC champion Maryland in the semifinals. UNC ranked among the national leaders in scoring defense despite facing the nation's toughest schedule; Falcone ranked among the nation's leaders in both caused turnovers and ground balls."
To read the complete awards and All-America teams, click here.
