Cox, Foote and Baker Earn NLC Honors

DAVIDSON, N.C. – After leaving Howard University with one of the most decorated lacrosse careers in the history of the program, senior Desiree Cox was named to the National Lacrosse Conference Second-Team All-Conference.

Last year Cox was name the NLC Attacker of the Year and compiled an astounding 68 goals, ranking her No. 7 in the nation. Her four goals per game average made her second-best in the country. She also posted 77 points, 26 draw controls and averaged 4.53 points per game in the 2009-10 season.

By the conclusion of the 2011 season Cox finished first on the team in goals (55), shots (126), draw controls (46) and points (57) and fourth in groundballs with 28.

Cox was also named to the 2011 NLC All-Academic Team alongside teammates Ashley Foote and Janae Baker.

To be eligible for recognition on the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must be a sophomore in class standing, carry a GPA of 3.40 or above on a 4.0 scale, and have been a starter or key reserve. Cox, Foote and Baker earned grade point averages of 3.61, 3.57 and 3.42, respectively.

 Desiree Cox

First Team All-Conference
Goalie:
Juli Liebig – Longwood
Kristen Masullo - Liberty


Defense:
Lily Graham - Davidson
Rachel Hannon - Jacksonville
Hannah Riggs - Longwood

Midfield:
Alanna Parker - Davidson
Sara Kuhlman - High Point
Ellyn Spangenberg - Jacksonville
Cara O’Brian - Longwood

Attack:

Janae  Baker

Ann Fucigna - Davidson
Grace Gaeng - High Point
Morgan Derner – Jacksonville

Second Team All-Conference
Goalie:
Karli Tobin - Jacksonville

Defense:
Erin McGuire - Davidson
Jasmine Jordan - High Point
Courtney McLaughlin - High Point

Midfield:
Emily Bossonneault – Detroit
Kaitlin Stewart – Jacksonville
Jennifer Freymond – Liberty
Jamie Beamish – Presbyterian

Ashley Foote 

Attack:
Chelsea Thompson – High Point
Desiree Cox – Howard
Kelsey Dean – Longwood
Shannon Hartford - Presbyterian

Player of the Year
Goalie: Juli Liebig – Longwood
Defense: Lily Graham – Davidson
Midfield: Cara O'Brian – Longwood
Attack: Grace Gaeng – High Point
Coach of the Year: Lyndsey Boswell – High Point

By Tiffany White, Sports Information Assistant

VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY
VISIT: HOWARDBISON

HU Bison Denied First Road Win Against CCSU

NEW BRITAIN, CONN. — The Howard lacrosse team failed to record their first win on the road on Friday afternoon after dropping 10-20 at the hands of Central Connecticut State. With the loss, the Lady Bison fell to a 3-5 season record.

Bouncing back from her lowest-scoring game of the season with one goal against St. Francis (Pa.) was senior Desiree Cox who mustered four goals in Howard’s loss. Courtland Lackey tied Cox for most Bison goals while junior Cheyrese Cox and Cynithia Smalls recorded the remaining two goals.

Smalls was the first to get on the board for Howard, scoring unassisted seven minutes into the first half, slimming Central Connecticut (5-2) to a 3-1 lead. The Lady Bison struggled to catch up with the Blue Devils who went on to score four unanswered goals within the opening 20 minutes of play.

Lackey chimed in with HU’s second, and her first, goal of the game with 9:21 on the first period clock. Shortly after Lackey gave the Lady Bison hope to close in on the Blue Devils after notching back to back scores late in the first half. Desiree, who is normally Howard’s leadoff scorer, remained scoreless until 3:18 was left in the first half. Her score edged the Lady Bison within six goals by the close of the half.

Despite the energetic burst produced late in the first half by Lackey and Desiree, the Bison came up short in the second half as they were outscored by the Blue Devils 5-9. Three of those five goals came from Desiree, Howard’s leading scorer.

Howard goal keeper Amber Meeks recorded seven saves against Central Connecticut’s 27 shots on goal. Overall the Lady Bison were outshot 34-27, despite maintaining a fair trade in draw controls as CCSU narrowly topped Howard with a 17-15 advantage. Howard slightly exceeded the Blue Devils in turnovers (15-16), but perfectly matched their opponent in ground balls (21-21).

The difference in the game was a matter of shooting percentage as the Bison converted 10-of-26 shots on goal into points on the board, while CCSU racked in 20-of-27. In the end, Howard shot 37 percent, which wasn’t enough to master the Blue Devils who recorded 16 saves and managed a 58.8 shooting percentage.

The Lady Bison will return to action in search of their first road win as they travel to face Longwood on Friday, March 25 at 4 p.m. For more information of the Howard lacrosse team visit Howard-Bison.com

Tiffany White
Sports Information Assistant
Howard University