ECAC Announces 2016 Division III North Field Hockey All-Stars
DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2016 Division III North Field Hockey All-Star team.
Senior Sami Smith of Keene State College was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham senior Erin O’Connell garnered Defensive Player of the Year honor. Colby-Sawyer College freshman Alie Jones was tabbed Rookie of the Year and St. John Fisher College Head Coach Victoria Bothner was named Coach of the Year.
Smith was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) New England West First Team All-Region. This is the second straight year the senior was selected to the All-Region team. She finished her career with the best offensive season in school history, scoring 36 goals and setting up 13 more for 90 points. She broke the single-season marks for goals and points as well as setting career marks in both categories (85 goals, 213 points). Her 13 assists were also the fifth highest total in school history. She repeated as the Little East Conference (LEC) Offensive Player of the Year and also named to the First Team All-LEC.
O’Connell was tabbed to the First Team All-South Atlantic Region by NFHCA. She cemented her legacy as a defensive threat for the Devils, claiming MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year honors after registering eight defensive-saves this season, along with four goals and seven assists. The senior, who entered the year as the program leader in defensive saves, finished her career with 18, 12 better than second place. O’Connell was also named to the NFHCA Senior game on Nov. 19.
Jones was named the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) East Division Field Hockey Rookie of the Year. The freshman was also selected to the NAC East All-Conference Team. The Maine native enjoyed a phenomenal first season finishing with 15 goals, four assists and three game-winning goals for a total of 34 points. With just one season under Jones’ belt, she holds the single-season record for both points and goals. In the nation, the freshman currently ranks 34th with 0.94 goals per game and 48th with 2.13 points per game. She was tabbed NAC East Rookie of the Week six times and ECAC Rookie of the week once this season.
Bothner led St. John Fisher to the best season in program history finishing the year 19-3 and 8-0 in the Empire 8. She was also named Empire 8 Coach of the Year. After starting the season off 1-2, the team rattled off 18 consecutive wins ranking as the longest win-streak this season in NCAA Division III. Bothner led the Cardinals to a conference title and advanced to the Sweet 16 in NCAAs.
2016 ECAC Division III North Field Hockey All-Star Team
Offensive Player of the Year
Sami Smith, Sr., Keene State College
Defensive Player of the Year
Erin O’Connell, Sr., Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham
Rookie of the Year
Alie Jones, Fr., Colby-Sawyer College
Coach of the Year
Victoria Bothner, St. John Fisher College
First Team
Kim Davis, Sr., Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham
Gabby Stein, Sr., SUNY Cortland
Hannah Wood, Jr., William Smith College
Sami Smith, Sr., Keene State College
Alexandra Frary, Jr., William Smith College
Brittney Cardente, Sr., Keene State College
Emily Markarian, Jr., St. John Fisher College
Erin O’Connell, Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham
Bregje Smits, Sr., Manhattanville College
Marita Brothers, Sr., Keene State College
Kailynne Reinoehl, So., SUNY Cortland
Second Team
Nolie Prouty, Sr., Stevens Institute of Technology
Jessica Welsh, So., SUNY Cortland
Alie Jones, Fr., Colby-Sawyer College
Giovanna Lisi, Fr., Morrisville State College
Kayla Renaud, Sr., Keene State College
Cydney Conley, Sr., William Smith College
Meghin Stanton, Sr., William Paterson University
Monica Feeley, So., Vassar College
Laura Aptowitz, Sr., Union College
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