Nine field hockey players claimed a spot on the National Academic Squad, according to a press release from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). The Royals team earned the NFHCA’s National Academic Team Award for the 14th straight year.
The Academic Team award recognizes the team GPA from the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year, recognizing programs with a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher. EMU’s streak of 14 consecutive years of earning the team award started from the 2006 season.
The Academic Squad award is for individuals who hold a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher through the fall semester. Rachel Breslin (Lititz, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite), Ann Ghally (Aldie, Va./John Champe), Lauren Hartzler (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central), Skylar Hedgepeth (Smithfield, Va./Smithfield), Madeline Mast (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite), Bri Miller (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester), Keely Mitchell (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside), Cassie Sumpolec (Fredericksburg, Va./Fredericksburg Christian) and Morgan Tricarico (Culpeper, Va./Eastern View) represent Royals out of the 1,943 student-athletes from the 157 Division III institutions recognized this year. Mast, EMU’s lone senior, earned special recognition as a four-year honoree on the National Academic Squad.
Zag Field Hockey sponsors both awards.
“The field hockey program strives to succeed on the field and in the classroom,” said Coach Ashley Kishorn. “The players work hard to balance their schedules through the fall season. We are proud of the commitment the players make to their academics and are thrilled that they have once again exceeded our expectations.”
The Royals finished with a record of 5-13, and sophomore defender Brandy Troutman (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield) tied for the national lead with a program record 17 defensive saves.
Click here to see the official National Academic Team release from the NFHCA.
Click here to see the official National Academic Squad release from the NFHCA.