ECAC Announces 2016 Division II Field Hockey All-Stars
DANBURY, Conn. - The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2016 Division II Field Hockey All-Star team.
Rachal Toppi, a junior from West Chester University garnered Offensive Player of the Year, while Lindenwood University sophomore Skylar Starbeck earned Defensive Player of the Year honor. Adelphi University freshman Elissa Frein was tabbed Rookie of the Year and Lindenwood University Head Coach Sarah Johnson was named Coach of the Year.
Toppi captured the 2016 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Athlete of the Year award for the first time, as well as all-league honors for the third straight season. The junior has started all 19 games leading the Golden Rams' offense in goals (24), points (53), shot percentage (.387) and game winning goals (4). Toppi has registered at least 22 goals in each of her first three seasons. Toppi holds the program record with 70 career goals and also owns the record for career points with 150.
Starbeck claimed ECAC DII Field Hockey League Co-Goalkeeper of the Year. The sophomore earned the decision in all 19 of the Lady Lions' tilts. She went 16-3 with three shutouts while posting a league-best 1.11 goals-against-average and a .782 save percentage. A three-time ECAC DII Field Hockey League Defensive Player of the Week during the regular season, Starbeck saved some of her best efforts until the end of the year. The California native recorded clean sheets in two of the Lady Lions' final three conference games, including a nine-save shutout against Bellarmine on Oct. 29 to help Lindenwood clinch the regular-season crown. Starbeck continued to be a defensive threat to opponents through the conference tournament leading the Lady Lions to their first ever ECAC DII Field Hockey League title.
Frein earns Rookie of the Year honors after being named Northeast-10 (NE-10) Rookie of the Year, All-Conference Second Team and All-Rookie Team during her 2016 campaign. The freshman led the Panthers in points (29) and goals (11). Frein ranks third in the NE-10 in points and tied for fourth in goals. She registered a career-high three goals and seven points in a 9-0 win over Southern Connecticut State University Sept. 13. The New York native scored four game-winning goals, including the overtime goal in a 1-0 win over Franklin Pierce University on Oct. 15. Frein garnered NE-10 Rookie of the Week honors twice this season.
Johnson led the Lady Lions to their first-ever ECAC DII Field Hockey League regular-season and tournament titles. Lindenwood posted a 16-3 record and a 7-1 mark in conference play under her stewardship, making a two-win improvement in league action and a six-win jump overall from 2015.
2016 ECAC Division II Field Hockey All-Star Team
Offensive Player of the Year
Rachal Toppi, Jr., West Chester University
Defensive Player of the Year
Skylar Starbeck, So., Lindenwood University
Rookie of the Year
Elissa Frein, Fr., Adelphi University
Coach of the Year
Sarah Johnson, Lindenwood University
First Team
Kathryn Schneidtmiller, Sr., Bellarmine University
Tara Robben, Sr., Lindenwood University
Emily Miller, So., LIU Post
Rachal Toppi, Jr., West Chester University
Aimee Ilgenfritz, Sr., Bellarmine University
Kate Remley, Fr., Limestone College
Dayle Paustian, Sr., West Chester University
Kathleen Sigwart, Sr., Limestone College
Nicole Johnston, Jr., Lindenwood University
Rachel Colvin, Sr., Adelphi University
Skylar Starbeck, So., Lindenwood University
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In the 77 years since its inception, the ECAC has emerged as the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In 2015-16, the ECAC hosted nearly 100 championships in men's and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 student-athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.
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