Nov. 8, 2006

BAY CITY, Mich. - Mercyhurst College senior defender Finella Annand earned the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year award, and teammates Sarah Powell and Lisa Casement also earned all-conference honors, as voted on by the conference coaches.

Annand and Powell were named to the All-GLIAC first team, while Casement was picked to the second team.

Annand anchored a Mercyhurst defense that surrendered just 17 goals in 20 games. The unit shut out nine opponents, allowed more than one goal on just five occasions and more than a pair only once. A team captain, Annand helped guide the Lakers to a berth in the NCAA Championships this season. A versatile player, she spent time at both back and midfielder. Annand scored one goal, a game-winner, and assisted on three others. A three-time All-GLIAC selection, she finished her career with 16 goals and 15 assists for 47 points.

Powell was named All-GLIAC for the second time after making the second team as a freshman. The sophomore from McKean, Pennsylvania finished second in the conference in points with 46 and tied for second with 18 goals and 10 assists. In just two seasons, the forward has tallied 35 goals and 26 assists for 96 points.

Casement, a forward from Mississauga, Ontario, finished sixth in the GLIAC in scoring with 31 points to earn her fourth all-conference selection. The senior tied for seventh in the conference with 12 goals and tied for fourth with seven assists.

GVSU midfielder Katie Johnson was honored with the league's "Freshman of the Year" award. Northern Michigan University's Matt Granstrand was named "Coach of the Year."

Joining Tafler, Annand, Johnson and Powell on the 2006 All-GLIAC first team are: senior forward Shannon Carrier, junior defenders Sue Christenson and Kourtney Willert, and sophomore goal keeper Kristina Nasturzio of Grand Valley State; sophomore forward Sarah Powell of Mercyhurst; sophomore midfielder Stephanie Roy of Saginaw Valley State University; junior midfielder Kristie Smilanich of Ferris State University; and freshman goal keeper Kara Music of Northern Michigan.

The Lakers finish 2006 with a 16-4 record, tying for the second most wins in school history. The team was nationally ranked for most of the season and advanced to the NCAA Championships, losing in the semifinals at the Great Lakes Regional.