CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -- Thirteen America East student-athletes were voted onto 2010 Field Hockey All-Academic Team, which was released by the conference office on Tuesday, November 23. These student athletes, who excel both academically as well as athletically, represent the best of the America East Conference.
The 2010 America East Goalkeeper of the Year, Kristi Troch from University at Albany highlights the 13 student-athletes honored. Troch and teammate Taylor Luke were both first-team all-conference honorees as well as members of the all-academic team. All-Academic picks Suzy Clephane from Albany, Marit Westenberg from Fairfield University and University of Maine’s Maire Dineen and Jocelyn Mitchell all received second-team all-conference accolades.
Maine’s Brittney Cummings and Dineen and Albany’s Sarah Deane, 2009 all-academic recipients, were also recognized again this year. Dineen is a a three-time member of the squad. Fairfield’s Westenberg was the only unanimous pick.
The All-Academic squads are a product of the June 2005 Athletics Directors meeting where faculty representatives and athletics directors from each of the conference’s nine member institutions decided to honor the league’s top student-athletes, who excel equally in the classroom as they do on the playing field.
For the second straight year, America East will select the All-Academic teams using CoSIDA’s Academic All-America program as a model. Student-athletes worthy of consideration are nominated by member sports information directors and voted on by a committee of SIDs, academic advisors and faculty representatives from all nine member institutions.
All-Academic squads for team sports are based on the number of athletes that participate in a contest at one time (e.g., 11 on the field for field hockey) but can be more if there is a tie in voting. To be nominated for the distinction, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve for their team and participate in at least 50 percent of their team’s games or competitions. In the classroom, student-athletes must have a 3.30 GPA and have completed at least one calendar year at their institution. Freshmen are not eligible for consideration.
2010 America East Field Hockey All-Academic Team
Name Cl. School Hometown/High School GPA Major
Suzy Clephane Sr. Albany Auckland, New Zealand/Diocesian 3.37 Communications/Journalism
Brittney Cummings^ Sr. Maine Belfast, Maine/Belfast 3.67 Psychology & Child Development
Sarah Deane^ Sr. Albany Orefield, Pa./Parkland 3.86 Psychology
Maire Dineen^# Sr. Maine Toronto, Ontario/Michael Power/St. Joseph 3.88 International Affairs/Economics
Emma Erler So. New Hampshire New Hampton, N.H./Newfound 3.56 Environmental horticulture
Taylor Luke So. Albany Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan 3.68 Human biology
Cassandra Mendonca Sr. Maine Thornhill, Ontario/St. Elizabeth 3.98 Kinesiology & Physical education
Jocelyn Mitchell Jr. Maine Kanata, Ontario/Earl of March Secondary 3.33 Kinesiology & Physical education
Michell Niedziejko Sr. Maine West Chester, Pa./Archmere Academy 3.86 Mechanical engineering
Anne Nieuwenhuis Sr. Fairfield Leidschendam, Netherlands 3.44 Psychology
Brianna Schwoyer So. Albany Telford, Pa./Christopher Dock Mennonite 3.82 Human biology
Kristi Troch So. Albany Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton 3.73 Human biology
Marit Westenberg* Jr. Fairfield Netherlands/Maeriant Lyceum 3.85 International studies
* Unanimous selection
^ 2009 All-Academic honoree
# 2008 All-Academic honoree