Nov. 8, 2004
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.--Six University of Illinois soccer players have been honored for their success both on and off the field. A trio of Illini were named to the Big Ten Conference first, second and All-Tournament teams, while another was named to the All-Freshman Team. In addition, two student-athletes were honored by CoSIDA as First-Team Academic All-District.
Hurless Named To 2004 Big Ten All-Tournament Team
Following the completion of last weekend's Big Ten Tournament, senior forward Tara Hurless was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. Hurless recorded two goals and two assists in the tournament, including the second goal in the Illini's 3-2 loss to Penn State that marked only the second time this season that Penn State has given up two goals in a match. Her two goals on the weekend set Hurless just two goals shy of becoming Illinois' all-time career leading scorer, while her two assists made her the all-time career leader in assists.
Hurless, Campbell, Karniski Named to All-Big Ten Teams
Senior forward Tara Hurless (Boylan Catholic HS, Rockford, Ill.) and junior defender Kelly Campbell (Gaithersburg HS, Gaithersburg, Md.) were both named First-Team All-Big Ten, while junior defender Christen Karniski (Iowa City HS, Iowa City, Iowa) garnered Second-Team All-Big Ten honors at the annual awards banquet in Columbus, Ohio.
Hurless currently has ten goals this season, bringing her career total to 45, two goals shy of capturing the Illinois all-time career goals record held by Emily Brown. The Rockford, Ill. native has already captured Illini records in career game-winning goals, season game-winning goals and shot attempts, and is making a run at the season assists, games started and games played records. Campbell has started every game for the past two seasons in the Illini backfield and has been a key player in the Illini's ranking of second in the Big Ten goals allowed category. Karniski joins Campbell as a member of the successful Illini backfield. The Iowa City, Iowa native has started every game of her three-year career in Orange and Blue and has two goals and three assists on the season.
The first-team conference accolade was the second for Hurless who was an all-conference pick in 2003.
In addition, UI defender Mary Therese McDonnell (Carl Sandburg HS, Orland Park, Ill.) was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. McDonnell has started 10 contests for the Illini and has one assist this year.
Karniski Duo Selected To CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team
Junior defenders Christen and Natasha Karniski (Iowa City HS, Iowa City, Iowa) have been named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District V Soccer Team. The team is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) from District V, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario. Christen, a 2004 Second-Team All-Big Ten selection, boasts a GPA of 3.935 and has three goals and three assists on the season. Natasha carries a GPA of 3.839 and has one goal and three assists this year. Both Karniski's will now have their names and accomplishments placed on the Academic All-American Ballot.
