Thomas, Swenson Named NFHCA All-Americans
12/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Dec. 7, 2015
CHANDLER, Ariz. -- University of Michigan senior Lauren Thomas and sophomore Sam Swenson were named to Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I All-America first and second team, respectively, the NFHCA announced today (Monday, Dec. 7). It is the first All-America accolade for both Wolverines.
Michigan has had an All-American on its roster in 18 of the last 19 years, with 22 Wolverines combining for a total of 35 citations. It is the 10th time in program history that Michigan boasted multiple All-America selections and the first since 2011. Thomas is the 10th different U-M player to garner first-team honors.
A native of Aylesbury, England, Thomas led the Wolverines in scoring this season, establishing career bests with nine goals, five assists and 23 points. She scored six goals over a six-game stretch to close the regular season, including a two-goal performance against No. 20 Iowa (Oct. 9) and the double-overtime game-winner to complete Michigan's comeback win at No. 16 Northwestern (Oct. 16).
Thomas, the 2015 Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the NFHCA West Region Player of the Year, also anchored a defensive unit that posted a sterling 0.97 goals-against average and allowed just 8.5 shots per game. She was a four-time NFHCA All-Region and All-Big Ten selection over her career, earning unanimous first-team honors this season. She wrapped her collegiate career with 16 goals, including four game-winners, 13 assists and 45 points. She also posted four defensive saves.
Swenson, a native of Harrogate, England, is the first Wolverine goalkeeper to earn All-America honors in program history. She led the nation this season with a .837 save percentage and ranked second nationally with a 0.78 goals-against average. She was in the cage for all 18 Wolverine wins and contributed to 10 shutout performances, including four complete-game efforts.
Swenson was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times this season and, like Thomas, was an All-Big Ten first-team selection and a first-time all-region honoree. She posted at least five saves in seven contests, including a career-best 14 in U-M's double-overtime win at Northwestern -- eight in overtime.
The Wolverines posted an 18-5 record this season, their greatest win total in 13 seasons, finished second in the Big Ten in both regular-season and tournament play and reached the NCAA quarterfinals.
Communications Contact: Leah Howard
