Abelin Named Second Team All-Region
GREENSBORO, N.C. (5/21/09) -- Guilford College senior Jennifer Abelin earned Second Team All-Chesapeake Region recognition from the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Thursday. Honorees were nominated and chosen by women's lacrosse coaches in the region, which extends from Maryland to North Carolina. The 224 all-region selections from across the country are eligible for the organization's All-American teams, which will be announced Friday (5/22).
Abelin, a 5-5 defender, earned all-region honors for the first time after becoming the Quakers' third two-time First Team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) selection last month. She led Guilford's defenders for the third straight season with 53 ground balls and a school-record 31 caused turnovers. Abelin also led the league in both categories and ranks 12th among NCAA Division III caused turnovers per game (2.38) leaders through games of May 17. She tallied a season-high five caused turnovers, six ground balls and an assist in Guilford's Mar. 25 win over Hollins University. Abelin also recorded a career-best nine ground balls versus nationally ranked Washington and Lee University Apr. 14.
Abelin concluded her outstanding career as the Quakers' career leader with 90 caused turnovers in 61 games. She ranks second all-time with 217 ground balls. Abelin captured the Quaker Club's 2008-09 Ideal Student-Athlete Award according to a vote of the school's athletic department staff. She also earned the Nereus C. English '26 Award in February, the school's highest athletic honor. Abelin graduated as a three-time All-ODAC selection and a member of the 2007-08 IWLCA Division III Academic Honor Roll.
Abelin helped fifth-year head coach Matthew Grosso's team to a 6-11 overall record. The Quakers went 3-5 in conference play and earned the sixth seed for the ODAC Tournament. Guilford's season ended with an 11-8 loss to Randolph-Macon College in the league quarterfinals Apr. 22. The Quakers could return as many as 17 letter winners in 2009.