Mon., Nov. 16, 2009

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – University of Saint Francis junior Katie Christian has been named Mid-Central College Conference Defensive Player of the Year the MCC announced on Monday.

Christian, a Bishop Luers High School graduate, started all 19 games for USF and led the Lady Cougars in minutes play at 1,711. She also scored three goals for USF tying for second on the team in goals scored. She also delivered two assists for USF while playing most of the time at center back.

“As a coach, I could not ask for a better leader as both a player and person,” USF head coach Christy Young says. “Katie not only does her job on the field but constantly is helping others do theirs. Katie is a very mature player. She is a great decision maker, strong, composed and very athletic. She became our vocal leader this year and a great motivator.

“Katie is a competitor and when things get tough she was always the first this season to rise to the occasion. She never settles and is always pushing herself and others to be better. USF is fortunate to have such a phenomenal player and person in our program and I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving of this award.”

She is a two-time 1st Team All-Conference Player and is also a Scholar-Athlete.

“Against Taylor we were down 2-0 and at halftime Katie, who played practically every minute at center back, told me that she would score if I put her up top,” Young recalled. “With 20 minutes left in the game I put her up top and she scored. It was our only goal of the game and it came from our center back. She gets the job done constantly and imposes her will on those she plays.”

Christian was one of two Lady Cougars earning All-MCC. Senior Kara Schultheis, a 5-foot-5 from South Bend and a Mishawaka Marian High School graduate, played defense and midfield for USF and was a 1st Team All-MCC selection. Schultheis finished second only to Christian in minutes played this season with 1,662 and she scored one goal and had one assist. She started all 19 games for USF this season and played in 78 games during her career at USF.

-- GO USF --