Press Release: Trio Of Field Hockey Freshmen Earn All-Great Lakes Region Honors
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — After a thrilling season in which the Wittenberg field hockey team finished with a 12-7 overall record, finished in a three-way tie for regular season North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) champion, and earned runner-up in the NCAC tournament, three players have been recognized with Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCHA) Division III All-Great Lakes Region honors.
Springfield, Ohio — After a thrilling season in which the Wittenberg field hockey team finished with a 12-7 overall record, finished in a three-way tie for regular season North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) champion, and earned runner-up in the NCAC tournament, three players have been recognized with Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFCHA) Division III All-Great Lakes Region honors.
Forward Boo Vernon, class of 2011 from Lake Bluff, Ill., was selected to the first team, while forward Tori Casanta, class of 2011 from Mason, Ohio, and defender Meredith Price, class of 2011 from Highland Park, Ill., claimed second-team awards.
Vernon brought new life to the offense in 2007. She led the team in multiple offensive categories, including figures of 39 points and 87 shots. Her explosive speed enabled Vernon to score a team-leading 18 goals, good a tie for fifth on Wittenberg's season goals record list. Her four game-winning goals led the team in 2007.
Casanta also quickly became a key cog in the Tiger offense in 2007, and she went on to finish second on the team in points with 30, goals with 12 and shots with 48. She led the team in assists, dishing out six in her first year in the Red & White.
Price earned second-team honors for her work in the backfield. Her four defensive saves are good for second on the team, while she added 11 shots and one assist in her ventures across midfield. Price also topped the team with a perfect 2-for-2 on penalty strokes.
The Wittenberg field hockey program has not had a losing season since 1980 and is one of just two NCAC squads to reach the conference tournament in each of the six years it has been played. Head Coach Diana Kuser has a three-year record of 33-22 leading the program, including a mark of 25-11 in NCAC play.
Written By: John Strawn
Photo By: Brad Tucker