DePaul University Athletics
Strickland, Grant Earn All-BIG EAST Honors
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - Just when you thought DePaul's turnaround season had run its course, there was more good news on Friday.
Leading scorer and junior midfielder Tara Strickland was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team while freshman defender Chelsea Grant was chosen for the All-BIG EAST Rookie Team.
"This shows the positive direction our program is headed," said DePaul coach Erin Chastain. "Tara was our leading attacking player and got better with every game.
"It is fun to watch Tara play. She is extremely creative and gifted, and I can't wait to see her have an even bigger impact on our team next year as a senior.
"I am excited that Chelsea was recognized. We recruited her to have an immediate impact, and she has done just that. Chelsea played every minute of every game---as did goalkeeper Claire Hanold---and that shows you how valuable she is to us."
Strickland finished with team highs in points with 20, goals with seven and assists with six. She is tied for fourth in career assists with 11, seventh all-time in points with 33 and eighth in goals with 11.
"Turnaround Tara" sparked the Blue Demons to their best season since 2003 and led them to their first appearance in the BIG EAST Championship tournament. DePaul fell to USF 1-0 last week in the opening round.
DePaul came away with a 10-9-2 record this fall after going 17-49-7 the previous four seasons.
BIG EAST coaches made the selections and are not allowed to vote for their own players.
"It's very exciting and really an honor," Strickland said. "It's cool to be recognized like this. Chelsea and I being named to All-BIG EAST teams caps off a really successful season for our team. It shows we are talented enough to do well in the BIG EAST.
"I can't wait until next year. It's going to be so hard waiting a whole year to play again."
Grant solidified a back line that also featured Dominique and Janina Locascio and Beth Perry that helped enable freshman goalkeeper Claire Hanold to post a school-record nine shutouts.
"I was really shocked," Grant said in describing her reaction after Chastain let her know. "I didn't 't expect it.
"By the time you're a junior or senior, maybe there's a chance it could happen. But I didn't think I'd be All-BIG EAST in anything as a freshman. I'm really honored, and I think our whole team should be honored for what we accomplished this season."
DePaul advanced to the playoffs after being picked to finish last in a preseason poll of BIG EAST coaches.
"That made me mad," Grant said. "We have 10 starters back for next year, and Erin is bringing in some more good players. I don't think we'll get picked to finish last again."
