Trio Named to Second Team All-CCIW
Apr 28, 2015
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The versatile trio of Bridget Schirmers, Breann Tjaarda, and Jessi Tapia all claimed second team All-CCIW (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) honors after leading the University of Dubuque women's lacrosse team to a school record nine wins in the program's third year of competition.
The three-pronged attack anchored the Spartans (9-7, 2-4 CCIW) in all facets of the game as Schirmers paced the team with 35 goals from the attack position, midfielder Tjaarda led UD with 52 ground balls, 92 draw controls, and 20 caused turnovers, and Tapia captained the Spartan defense.
Their efforts propelled them to nine wins on the season, and just one CCIW win short of qualifying for the CCIW tournament in their first year of affiliation.
Schirmers started in 14 of 16 games and led the team in goals for the second straight season and net a season-high five in a 15-13 win at Augsburg College on March 2. Her three goals and two assists contributed to a 19-12 victory over Cornell on March 29 that gave the Spartans their record-setting fifth win of the season, breaking the previous mark of four victories set last year.
The junior tallied seven games of 3+ goals in 2015 and is the UD career goals (93) and games played (41) leader through three seasons.
The Coon Rapids, Minn. native majors in wellness and exercise science.
“As a junior captain, Bridget was a leader for our team and was also a huge part of our attack,” added Head Coach Kendall Loggins. “She helped create many scoring opportunities with both her great vision and excellent shot. She is a major threat for us offensively and I’m thrilled that I get to coach her for one more season.”
Tjaarda was a threat from all over the field after leading the Spartans in the three aforementioned categories while scoring 29 goals and dishing out 13 assists. Tjaarda’s stats in all five categories landed in the Top-5 in UD single-season history. She now holds the single-season school record in ground balls, draw controls, and caused turnovers.
The freshman finished second in the CCIW after snagging 40 draw controls and placed third with 20 ground balls through six league games.
The Aurora, Ill. native started in 14 of her 16 games played and scored in every game except one. Tjaarda posted arguably her best game of the season after putting up two goals, three assists, six ground balls, five draw controls, and six caused turnovers in narrow 15-13 win over Augsburg on March 2. She netted UD’s only goal in a 22-1 defeat to CCIW regular season champion, Augustana (6-0 CCIW), on April 3.
“Breann was a key component to our team both offensively and defensively,” noted Coach Loggins. “She did an amazing job with draw controls and is an all-around excellent player. As a freshman she had a great amount of success and I’m very excited to see what she does over her next three years here.”
Tapia was a defensive menace and commandeered the Spartan defense in the clutch. The Spartan defense allowed fewer shots and goals in the second half than in the first over the course of her 16 games played this season. She started 13 of them and scored her lone goal in a 24-4, season-opening rout of Benedictine on February 15.
The sophomore totaled 19 ground balls, six draw controls, and seven caused turnovers throughout the season. Tapia scooped up a season-high five ground balls in 11-9 win over CCIW foe, Elmhurst (Ill.) on April 15.
The Hampton, Ill. native majors in psychology.
“Jessi is in just her second year of playing lacrosse and has already added so many qualities to our team,” asserted Coach Loggins. “She was a work horse for us at defense this season and she especially did a great job bringing the ball down the field. She shows a tremendous amount of composure when she has the ball and does a great job dodging out of pressure.”
The trio lead a Spartan team that brings back all but two senior starters.
