May 7, 2008

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - A pair of Yale seniors, defender Jess Champion (Moorestown, N.J.) and midfielder Lauren Taylor (Manhasset, N.Y.), are finalists for LaxPower's second annual Fan Awards. Fans may vote on-line at http://www.laxpower.com/vote, with all voters entered into a drawing to receive prizes. Voting runs through Saturday, May 10.

Champion is one of three finalists for senior of the year on defense. An All-American last year, she is the top player on Yale's defense, which is ranked fourth in the country (7.45 goals per game). Regularly assigned to cover the opposing team's best player, she combines solid and consistent 1v1 defensive ability with a knack for changing the game with a timely caused turnover (18 this year) or draw control (22). She is also adept at chasing down ground balls with 20 on the season -- 17 in the final seven games.

Taylor is one of three finalists for senior of the year at midfield. An All-American last year, she was on the watch list for the Tewaaraton Trophy this year. She finished her career with 198 career goals and 246 career points, second on Yale's career lists in both categories. She led the team in goals (41) and points (59) for the fourth consecutive season, earning her second Bowditch Award as team MVP.

As a thank-you for participating, LaxPower is entering all voters into a drawing to receive prizes:

• First Prize: Two winners will each receive two tickets to the Division I Finals, either men's or women's.
• Second Prize: Twenty winners will receive a LaxPower t-shirt. LaxPower will also give away a limited number of tickets to the Fan Awards Ceremonies to be held in Baltimore on Thursday, May 22 and in Boston on Sunday, May 25.

Further details about the voting are available at http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=11001.

report by Sam Rubin '95 (sam.rubin@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity