Wolverine Quartet Named All-Big Ten
11/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The University of Michigan field hockey team placed four players on the All-Big Ten Conference teams, the league announced Thursday evening (Nov. 6) at the annual tournament banquet. Senior back Sarah Wilhite(Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey HS) was named All-Big Ten first team, while junior Kelly Fitzpatrick(Hummelstown, Pa./Palmyra Area HS), senior Stephanie Hoyer(Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS) and sophomore Meredith Way(Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) received second-team recognition. It was the first All-Big Ten recognition for all four Wolverine players.
Wilhite boasted career numbers during her final collegiate season and ended the campaign ranked second among the Wolverines' leading scorers with six goals and 16 assists, all of which she compiled over an impressive 12-game point streak. Over her four-year tenure, Wilhite accumulated nine goals and 20 helpers in 84 total games played. She will represent Michigan at the 2008 NFHCA Senior All-Star Game.
Fitzpatrick netted her first All-Big Ten honor after elevating the Wolverines' speed to play on the forward line in 17 appearances this season. Fitzpatrick boasted a pair of multi-goal efforts and, adding her second-half tally in the Big Ten Tournament opener on Thursday (Nov. 6), wrapped her season with six goals and 13 points.
Hoyer, a four-year fixture among the Wolverines' forward line, appeared in every U-M game of her collegiate career with 87 total games and 46 consecutive starts. Including her first-half marker against the Buckeyes in Big Ten Tournament play Thursday, she finished her career with 25 career goals, including four gamewinners and 10 career assists. Hoyer will also represent Michigan at the 2008 NFHCA Senior All-Star Game.
Way earned her first career All-Big Ten selection after posting career-high numbers in every scoring category this season. As the primary striker on the Wolverine penalty corner, Way led the Wolverines with 12 goals and 35 points.
Senior/junior Heather Wiley(San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines HS) was selected as Michigan's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, given annually to student-athletes who distinguish themselves through good sportsmanship and ethical behavior, as well as demonstrate academic excellence and good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
The Wolverines wrapped up the 2008 season with an 8-12 record, including a 3-3 mark against Big Ten competition.
2008 All-Big Ten Field Hockey Honors
FIRST TEAM
Caroline Blaum, Sr., midfield, Iowa
Roz Ellis, Sr., defense, Iowa
Lauren Pfeiffer, Sr., defense, Iowa
Sarah Wilhite, Sr., defense, U-M
JEAMIE DEACON, Jr., midfield, Michigan State
Floor Rijpma, Jr., midfield, Michigan State
Alex Quinn, Sr., forward, Northwestern
LINDA HAUSSENER, Sr., midfield, Ohio State
Jen Beaumont, Sr., goalkeeper, Penn State
JEN LONG, Sr., defense, Penn State
ALLISON SCOLA, Sr., forward, Penn State
SECOND TEAM*
Meg O'Connell, Jr., midfield, Indiana
Meghan Beamesderfer, So., forward, Iowa
Lissa Munley, Sr., goalkeeper, Iowa
Kelly Fitzpatrick, Jr., forward, Michigan
Stephanie Hoyer, Sr., forward, Michigan
Meredith Way, So., defense, Michigan
Chantae Miller, Fr., forward, Michigan State
Jantine Steinmetz, So., forward, Michigan State
Aisling Coyle, Fr., midfield, Ohio State
Emily Mikac, Sr., forward, Ohio State
Bethany Marvel, Jr., midfield, Penn State
Daneen Zug, So., midfield, Penn State
* Additional honorees due to ties
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
Offensive Co-Player of the Year: Linda Haussener, Ohio State and Allison Scola, Penn State
Defensive Player of the Year: Jen Long, Penn State
Freshman of the Year: Jessica Longstretch, Penn State
Coach of the Year: Charlene Morett, Penn State
Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Danitra Castro, Indiana
Lissa Munley, Iowa
Heather Wiley, Michigan
Angela Pagura, Michigan State
Annie Bosslet, Northwestern
Emily Mikac, Ohio State
Jen Beaumont, Penn State
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
