November 18, 2009

ALL-NCAC FIELD HOCKEY SQUAD ANNOUNCED;
ARTMAN, PRICE COLLECT TOP HONORS

Click for Full Team (.pdf)

CLEVELAND -- Wooster senior Amanda Artman (Shaker Hts., OH/Shaker Hts.) and Wittenberg junior Meredith Price (Highland Park, IL/North Shore Country Day) have been named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year to highlight the 2009 All-North Coast Athletic Conference field hockey selections.

Artman, who is named Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and third time in the past four years, led the North Coast with 3.10 points per game. She posted a conference-best 28 goals and nine assists for 65 points to lead the Fighting Scots to their eighth NCAC championship and their second straight NCAC tournament title. Artman is a three-time first-team All-NCAC choice, having been voted to the first team in 2006, 2008 and 2009. The senior attack was also voted the conference's Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2006, and is the school's all-time leading scorer.

Price makes her second consecutive appearance on the NCAC's first team, and third appearance on the all-conference squad. A second-team choice in 2007, Price led Wittenberg to a share of the NCAC title with Wooster, and the Tigers' first NCAA Division III tournament appearance since 2004. After starting the year 1-2, the Tiger defense tightened up and led the squad to nine straight conference victories to finish 10-2 in the NCAC, and clinch a share of the title.

Five other players repeat as first-team selections after earning first-team recognition in 2008: Ohio Wesleyan juniors Christa Cocumelli (Dublin, OH/Bishop Watterson) and Hannah Coughlin (Dublin, OH/Scioto), Wittenberg juniors Boo Vernon (Lake Bluff, IL/Cushing Academy) and Tori Casanta (Mason, OH/Cor Jesu Academy), and Wooster junior Stephanie Standera (Penfield, NY/Penfield). Cocumelli, Vernon and Casanta each achieved their third consecutive first-team nod.

Earlham senior Cassie Gage (West Carrollton, OH/Fairmont) returns to the first team after earning second-team honors in 2008. She was a first-team choice in 2007 and honorable mention in 2006. Kenyon senior Holly Bacon (Williamsburg, VA/Lafayette) makes her debut on the top squad after being voted honorable-mention in each of the past three seasons. Ohio Wesleyan junior Jessica Wright (Lancaster, OH/Lancaster) moves up to the first team after being second-team in 2008 and honorable mention in 2007. Denison senior Molly McCue (Gibsonia, PA/Aquinas Academy) also makes her first appearance on the top team after being named honorable-mention in 2008 and second-team in 2007.

Newcomer of the Year honors went to Denison freshman Catie Merrick (Owings Mills, MD/Garrison Forest). She was voted to the second team after she led the Big Red in scoring with 18 goals and 38 points.

Denison's P.J. Soteriades was voted Coach of the Year for the second time. She guided the Big Red to a tie for third place in the North Coast with 7-5 conference and 11-8 overall records. Soteriades is 86-102 in 10 seasons at the helm.