Posted: Apr 23, 2010

LACROSSE ROOKIE NICOLE RETTINGER EARNS PROGRAM'S FIRST-EVER NEC POSTSEASON ACCOLADES

April 23, 2010

BRYANT LACROSSE ROOKIE NICOLE RETTINGER EARNS PROGRAM'S FIRST-EVER NORTHEAST CONFERENCE POSTSEASON ACCOLADES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After a stellar rookie campaign that saw her transform into one of the league’s premier defenders, Bryant University women’s lacrosse freshman Nicole Rettinger (Dix Hills, N.Y.) becomes the first player in program history to receive postseason accolades from the Northeast Conference, earning a First Team All-Conference selection as announced by league officials Thursday evening.

The lone freshman to receive all-conference honors, Rettinger established herself as one of the league’s top defenders from the very beginning of the 2010 season, Bryant’s first within the Northeast Conference. She was also quickly recognized as one of the NEC’s top freshman talents, earning her a spot on the 2010 All-Rookie Team as well.

Rookie Nicole Rettinger led the Bulldogs in draw controls (27)
and caused turnovers (33) in 2010, earning her a spot on the
All-NEC First Team as well as the All-Rookie Team. Rettinger
was the only freshman to earn an all-conference nod.

A freshman walk-on, Rettinger made her presence felt all season long and quickly became a stronghold for the Bulldogs on defense, where she was one of only five players to start all 16 games and the only rookie to break the starting lineup.

Her 27 draw controls and 33 caused turnovers led the Black and Gold, while her 46 ground balls paced all field players and were good for second on the team behind goalie Lauren Filippone.

But she didn’t just lead the team with her defensive prowess, Rettinger also found herself at the top of the conference rankings in a number of statistical categories, including averaging a league-best 2.06 caused turnovers per game. The rookie also picked up 2.88 ground balls per outing, good for third among all conference players.

Rettinger picked up a career-high six ground balls on two occasions (at Siena, at Presbyterian) and won a career-best six draw controls in the season opener against Boston College. She also posted a personal best with six caused turnovers in a home loss to Columbia, while forcing at least one giveaway in all but one contest on the season. Rettinger also recorded at least one ground ball in all but two outings.

Her numbers also earn her a spot in the women’s lacrosse history books. Rettinger’s 33 caused turnovers are good for No. 4 in the list of single-season marks, while her six draw controls against the Eagles knot her for the sixth-best mark in a single game and her six caused turnovers against the Lions tie her for fourth in a single contest.

The Bulldogs finished the 2010 season with a 3-13 overall record, earning all three wins against Northeast Conference opponents for a 3-6 league mark. Bryant earned a 14-11 road win over Central Connecticut, a 17-7 victory over Long Island and ended the year on a high note with a 16-11 topping of Saint Francis (PA) at home in the season finale.