University of Massachusets Athletics
Potts & Widdall Named NFHCA All-Americans
November 22, 2010 | Field Hockey
Nov. 22, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. - Senior defender Makaela Potts has been named Longstreth/NFHCA First-Team All-American and junior goalkeeper Alesha Widdall has earned Second-Team All-American honors as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Monday. The same duo was named All-American in 2008 as well, while this is Potts' third-straight year earning the honor.
Potts is UMass' first First-Team All-American since Anke Bruemmer in 2001, while also becoming just the fifth three-time All-American in UMass program history, joining Bruemmer (1999-2001), Kathy DeAngelis (1987-89), Megan Donnelly (four times, 1982-85), and Judy Strong (1979-81).
Widdall was named to the third team in 2008 after her freshman season. 2010 makes her UMass' first multiple-time All-American at the goalie position since Phillipa Scott in 1991 and 1992 and third in program history with Scott and Patty Shea (1981 and 1983).
On Nov. 18, Potts was one of five players nationally to be named a Regional Player of the Year, taking the honor for the Northeast Region after being named First-Team All-Region.
Potts was once again the backbone of the UMass team in 2010, controlling the center of the field and directing the UMass attack from the backfield. The Sydney, Australia native was a key member on both the offensive and defensive corner units and finished the season with 16 points on six goals and four assists. Potts was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year for the second-straight season in 2010 while garnering First-Team All-Conference and A-10 All-Championship honors for the third year in a row.
Potts finished her career with 58 points on 20 goals and 18 assists in 85 starts in 89 career games.
Widdall was named All-Northeast Region First Team for the third year in a row in 2010.
Widdall again established herself as one of the nation's top goalkeepers in 2010, starting all 23 games for the Minutewomen and posting a 15-8 record with a 1.19 goals against average, a .776 save percentage, and eight shutouts. The Whitney Point, N.Y. native ranks tied for third nationally in shutouts, eighth in save percentage and ninth in the country in goals against average. Widdall was named Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team for the third year in a row to go with her third-straight first team Regional All-American selection and was named A-10 Student-Athlete of the Year for her work in the classroom as well as on the field.
Widdall will enter her senior season in 2011 as the most experienced goalkeeper in the country with 4,347 minutes played and a 40-21 record, 1.24 GAA, .778 save percentage, and 21 shutouts in her career.
Head Coach Justine Sowry, 58-31 with three A-10 titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances in her four years at the helm of the Minutewomen, has now had five All-American honorees.
