Dec. 16, 2005
Senior defender Christen Karniski (Iowa City, Iowa) was named to the All-Great Lakes Region first team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Karniski's fourth postseason award this season.
The All-Region recognition follows a trio of awards so far this season for Karniski, as she was named NSCAA second team All-America and NSCAA Academic All-Central Region and Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Year. She helped lead an Illini defense that allowed only 24 goals on the season, the third-fewest in school history, and gave up a school-record low 51 corner kicks.
Karniski started every game and played every minute of the season, never getting a break in 2,085 minutes. For her career, she started all 89 games Illinois played - a school record - and saw action in 7,710 minutes out of a possible 8,265 (93 percent). This season, Karniski also scored one goal and assisted on five for seven points.
The All-Great Lakes region award is Karniski's second as she earned a second-team honor in 2004. As a team, Illinois has had five All-Great Lakes Region selections by the NSCAA, all in the last three years.
NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team
First Team
Pos. Name Year School Hometown
GK Laura Boyer Sr. Marquette University Overland Park, Kan.
D Candace Chapman Sr. Notre Dame Ajax, Ontario
D Virginia Graczyk Jr. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libertyville, Ill.
D Christen Karniski Sr. Illinois Iowa City, Iowa
D Krista Mitts Sr. Ball State Ft. Mitchell, Ky.
M Jen Buczkowski Jr. Notre Dame Elk Grove, Ill.
M Mary Parker Jr. Detroit Troy, Mich.
M Julie Thompson Sr. Marquette University Palos Heights, Ill.
F Jamie Craft Jr. Louisville Owings, Md.
F Kerri Hanks Fr. Notre Dame Allen, Texas
F Katie Thorlakson Sr. Notre Dame Langley, B.C.