May 29, 2008

from press releases and staff report

The Tewaaraton Award Foundation announced that Hannah Nielsen of Northwestern University and Mike Leveille of Syracuse University were named as the 2008 winners of the Tewaaraton Trophy on Thursday night at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Leveille powered Syracuse to victories against Virginia and Johns Hopkins at Gillette Stadium en route to the school's 10th national championship over th weekend. A first-team All-American, Leveille was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, tallying 19 points, including 11 goals, in the Orange's four playoff victories.

Leveille, the second Syracuse player to win the award (Michael Powell), concluded the season ranked third nationally in points per game (4.61), seventh in goals per game (2.72) and seventh in assists per contest (1.89). Leveille led Syracuse in all three categories, notching 49 goals, 34 assists and 83 points.

Nielsen's selection marks the third consecutive year that a Northwestern player has won the award. NU's Kristen Kjellman, a current U.S. Elite team player, won the award in 2006 and 2007. Nielsen is also the second Australian to win the award. Maryland's Jen Adams won the inaugural women's Tewaaraton Trophy in 2001.

Nielsen led Northwestern in points for the second-straight year with 114, becoming the first player in the program's history to put together back-to-back 100 point seasons. Her 63 assists on the year led the Wildcats, and she was one of three players to record at least 50 goals, finishing with 51. She concluded her junior campaign ranked fourth on the all-time points list at Northwestern with 256 points (115g, 141a). During this year's NCAA tournament run, Nielsen tallied 12 goals and 10 assists, including the final two against Penn to clinch the title en route to being named to the all-tournament team.

The Tewaaraton Award Foundation, in conjunction with the University Club of Washington, D.C., formally established the "Tewaaraton Trophy" in 2000. The award is presented to the top female and male varsity collegiate lacrosse player in the United States. The Foundation honors lacrosse, the original and oldest American sport, through the Tewaaraton name and by promoting the game through the award.