May 27, 2009
CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina defender Amber Falcone has been named one of four finalists for the 2008-09 Lacrosse Honda Sports Award, Honda announced today. The annual award honors the national player of the year.
Other finalists include Northwestern's Hannah Nielson, Maryland's Caitlyn McFadden and Notre Dame's Jill Byers. Falcone is the second Honda Award finalist in Carolina history, joining Christine McPike (2002).
The winner after nationwide balloting will become a candidate for The Honda-Broderick Cup awarded annually to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.
Falcone this week has been named the national defender of the year by both WomensLacrosse.com and WomensLax.com, two national websites devoted to the sport. She was named a first-team All-America by both sites, becoming the first four-time All-America in UNC history.
Falcone led the Tar Heels to a 16-5 record, a second-place regular season finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the NCAA Tournament championship game. She leaves Carolina as the school's career leader in games played and games started.
