MARTINA LONCARICA NAMED BIG EAST PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
8/11/2011 11:16:29 AM | Field Hockey
SYRACUSE – Syracuse University field hockey senior midfielder Martina Loncarica was named the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year in a vote by the conference's seven head coaches, the league office announced today. Loncarica was joined on the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team by sophomore back Laura Hahnefeldt, senior forward Heather Susek and junior back Amy Kee. Loncarica, Hahnefeldt and Susek were all unanimous selections.
The three-time defending champion Orange garnered 32 points, including two first-place votes, and was picked to finish second behind Connecticut. The Huskies received 35 points, including the remaining five first-place votes.
“I think that it's an honor to have four good players recognized and respected by the coaches in the league,” three-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year Ange Bradley said. “I'm proud of them and thankful for our opponents for recognizing the strength of our individual players. We do know that it's not where you start, it's where you finish.”
Loncarica returns for her final year ranked first on SU's all-time assists list with 55. She is also second on the all-time points list with 117 (three points shy of tying for the top spot). The three-time All-American recorded a team-best 29 points off a team-high 11 goals and seven assists last season.
Hahnefeldt was recognized on the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-American Second Team last season. The sophomore helped limit SU's opponents to just 1.14 goals per game in 2010.
Susek earned third-team Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-American honors after recording 21 points off nine goals and three assists in 2010.
Kee earned a spot on the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-Mideast Region First Team in an injury laden season. The junior also tallied 14 points off five goals and four assists in 2010.
Syracuse, which opened preseason camp today, welcomes back 15 letterwinners and eight starters from the 2010 squad which went 16-5 overall, including a perfect 6-0 in league play. The Orange begins the 2010 season having won a BIG EAST record 14 consecutive (and 17 of its last 18) BIG EAST regular-season games.
SU opens the 2011 season against Monmouth on Saturday, August 27 at J.S. Coyne Stadium. Start time is set for 1 p.m.
2011 BIG EAST Field Hockey Preseason Poll
| School | Points | 2010 Overall | 2010 BIG EAST | BIG EAST Regular Season Finish |
| Connecticut (5) | 35 | 16-6 | 4-2 | 3 |
| Syracuse (2) | 32 | 16-5 | 6-0 | 1 |
| Louisville | 25 | 13-7 | 5-1 | 2 |
| Rutgers | 18 | 8-12 | 2-4 | T-4 |
| Providence | 16 | 5-13 | 1-5 | T-6 |
| Villanova | 15 | 7-13 | 2-4 | T-4 |
| Geogetown | 6 | 6-13 | 1-5 | T-6 |
2011 BIG EAST Field Hockey Preseason Award Winners
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Martina Loncarica, Sr., M, Syracuse
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Rayell Heistand, Sr., B, Connecticut
All-BIG EAST Preseason Team
Jestine Angelini, Jr., M, Connecticut
Ali Blankmeyer, Sr. M/F, Connecticut
Caitlin Collins, Sr., B, Louisville
Erin Conrad, Jr., GK, Louisville
*Laura Hahnefeldt, So., B, Syracuse
Rayell Heistand, Sr., B, Connecticut
*Anne Jeute, So., B, Connecticut
Amy Kee, Jr., B, Syracuse
*Martina Loncarica, Sr., M, Syracuse
Sarah Mansfield, So., GK, Connecticut
Catherine Shugrue, Jr., F. Georgetown
*Heather Susek, Sr., F, Syracuse
*Hayley Turner, Sr., M, Louisville
* - unanimous selection
– Due to a tie in voting, two members have been added to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team
