May 20, 2002
Durham, N.C. – The Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team continued its growth on the national women’s lacrosse scene as the program had two players named All-American for the first time in the program’s six-year history.
Senior defender Kathryn Lam (Plainsboro, N.J.) and junior midfielder Danielle Shearer (Hampstead, Md.) were named second team Brine Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA)/United States Lacrosse (USL) All-Americans for the 2002 season.
Lam and Shearer played key roles in leading the Irish to their first-ever NCAA appearance this past season. The Irish were 13-5 overall and finished the year ranked seventh in the nation. They won their first NCAA playoff game, an 11-7 win over Ohio State before losing an 11-5 decision in the quarterfinals versus eventual national champion Princeton.
Lam, a three-time all-region pick (first team in 2002), was the backbone of Notre Dame’s defense all season long. A tenacious defender, Lam helped the Irish finish sixth in the nation in defense giving up a program-low 7.61 goals per game. She led the Irish with 58 ground balls, the second-best total of her career (62 in 2000) and was third in caused turnovers with 17. A member of the United States National Team’s developmental squad, Lam was a three-time captain for the Irish.
Shearer led the Irish in scoring during the 2002 season with career highs in goals (39), assists (20) and points (59) and was selected first team all-Region for the first time this season. The BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, Shearer was also a unanimous first team all-BIG EAST selection. She is third on Notre Dame’s all-time scoring list with 95 goals, and 40 assists for 135 career points and is second on the school’s all-time goal list.
“This is a great and well-deserved honor for Kathryn (Lam) and Danielle (Shearer),” said Notre Dame head coach Tracy Coyne.
“It’s very much reflective of the season we had as a team and they had as players. Their success in the big games is what helped us accomplish what we did this year. I’m very happy that they are receiving the recognition that they deserve. This is a big day for our players and our program.”