University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: Thom Kendall - UMass Athletics
Eight Minutewomen Split A-10 Accolade Haul
November 03, 2016 | Field Hockey
Kreusch named defensive player of the year, six take in all-conference
NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia - Eight members of the University of Massachusetts field hockey program split up 10 Atlantic 10 Conference year-end awards, as announced by the league office on Thursday. Melanie Kreusch highlighted the group as the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year and one of three Minutewomen on the all-conference first team, alongside Izzie Delario and Sarah Hawkshaw.
Three more from the squad earned placement on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team in Anne Dijkstra, Celina Hocks and Nicole Miller. Hocks, a junior transfer from Germany with no prior collegiate field hockey experience, was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. Nicole Kuerzi and Cliodhna Loughlin were recognized for their respective successes in the classroom as members of the A-10 All-Academic Team.
Kreusch, the center back for the Minutewomen, guided the defense to the tune of 2.06 goals allowed per game as opponents only shot .199 percent against Massachusetts through the end of the 18-game regular season. Kreusch helped her own cause on the offensive end as one of the primary penalty corner hitters with six goals and one assist for 13 points.
Delario is tied for second on the team in points (24) while she owns the second-most goals (9) and assists (6). Three of her goals went as game-winners, including Davidson, Saint Louis and VCU. Delario, who was chosen for the 2016 NFHCA Senior Game, was previously lauded with A-10 All-Conference in 2015 (first team) and 2014 (second team).
Hawkshaw owns the most goals among Minutewomen with 11 and also leads the team in points (25). Her goals total ranks Hawkshaw third in the Atlantic 10 Conference while her 25 points stand tied for fourth in the league. Hawkshaw was an Atlantic 10 All-Conference selection in 2015 (first team) and 2014 (second team) alongside Delario.
2016 marks the first Atlantic 10 All-Conference appearances for Dijkstra, Hocks and Miller. Dijkstra and Hocks, defensive center midfielders, help Kreusch organize the Massachusetts defense. Hocks added 12 points on the offensive end of the field (four goals, four assists) while Dijkstra provided seven (three goals, one assist). Miller, a forward, is tied with Delario in points on seven goals and a team-best 10 assists.
Loughlin previously earned Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team as a junior in 2015 while it is Kuerzi's first such honor. Loughlin is a sports management major who previously collected NFHCA National Academic Squad and Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2013-15. Kuerzi majors in nutrition and secured NFHCA National Academic Squad and Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll as a freshman and sophomore in 2014 and 2015.
Follow the Minutewomen on Twitter (@UMassFH), Instagram (umassfieldhockey) and Facebook (UMass Field Hockey).
Three more from the squad earned placement on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team in Anne Dijkstra, Celina Hocks and Nicole Miller. Hocks, a junior transfer from Germany with no prior collegiate field hockey experience, was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team. Nicole Kuerzi and Cliodhna Loughlin were recognized for their respective successes in the classroom as members of the A-10 All-Academic Team.
Kreusch, the center back for the Minutewomen, guided the defense to the tune of 2.06 goals allowed per game as opponents only shot .199 percent against Massachusetts through the end of the 18-game regular season. Kreusch helped her own cause on the offensive end as one of the primary penalty corner hitters with six goals and one assist for 13 points.
Delario is tied for second on the team in points (24) while she owns the second-most goals (9) and assists (6). Three of her goals went as game-winners, including Davidson, Saint Louis and VCU. Delario, who was chosen for the 2016 NFHCA Senior Game, was previously lauded with A-10 All-Conference in 2015 (first team) and 2014 (second team).
Hawkshaw owns the most goals among Minutewomen with 11 and also leads the team in points (25). Her goals total ranks Hawkshaw third in the Atlantic 10 Conference while her 25 points stand tied for fourth in the league. Hawkshaw was an Atlantic 10 All-Conference selection in 2015 (first team) and 2014 (second team) alongside Delario.
2016 marks the first Atlantic 10 All-Conference appearances for Dijkstra, Hocks and Miller. Dijkstra and Hocks, defensive center midfielders, help Kreusch organize the Massachusetts defense. Hocks added 12 points on the offensive end of the field (four goals, four assists) while Dijkstra provided seven (three goals, one assist). Miller, a forward, is tied with Delario in points on seven goals and a team-best 10 assists.
Loughlin previously earned Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team as a junior in 2015 while it is Kuerzi's first such honor. Loughlin is a sports management major who previously collected NFHCA National Academic Squad and Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2013-15. Kuerzi majors in nutrition and secured NFHCA National Academic Squad and Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll as a freshman and sophomore in 2014 and 2015.
Follow the Minutewomen on Twitter (@UMassFH), Instagram (umassfieldhockey) and Facebook (UMass Field Hockey).
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