Field Hockey

Seven Field Hockey Players Honored by E8; Meyer Tabbed Coach of the Year

ROCHESTER, NY - The Empire 8 Conference announced its 2009 teams on Wednesday with seven Hawks receiving recognition. Anna Meyer was named the Empire 8 Coach of the Year and freshman Kelsey Kimble (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) earned Rookie of the Year honors.

For the second year in a row, senior back Jenny Murphy (Vineyard Haven, MA/Martha's Vineyard) and junior midfielder Amanda Barton (Endwell, NY/Greene) were named to the conference's first team. The duo was joined on the first team by goalkeeper Mackenzie Chapman (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna). Kimble was a second-team selection, and seniors Morgan Cestari (Lake Grove, NY/Centereach) and Amanda Valliere (Lebanon, NH/Lebanon) received honorable mention. Senior Megan Lindoerfer (Sherburne, NY/Sherburne-Earlville) was picked for the Sportswoman of the Year Team.

Meyer led the Hawks to 11 victories in the regular season and a 5-1 record in the Empire 8. 'Wick outscored its opponents in conference play 11-2 with four shutouts and was just a goal away from going unbeaten and hosting the conference tournament. Meyer has guided Hartwick to its 12th appearance in either the NCAA or ECAC Tournament since 1988, and the team won six matches in a row over the course of the year, including an overtime victory over then #20 Hamilton.

Kimble paced Hartwick in scoring in her first season for the Hawks with a team-best nine goals and five assists. She has scored in nine different matches and earned the game-winning goal in five of them. Kimble notched three straight game-winning tallies over Morrisville, Washington & Jefferson, and Union over the course of the season, and netted the game-winner in the ECAC quarters. She is tied for 5th in the E8 in goals per game, and is 6th in both points and assists per outing.

Murphy, an E8 and all-region pick last year, had another successful outing for the Hawks on defense in her final season. The hard-working back was one of the Hawks' top offensive threats once again on penalty corners. She tallied the game's only goal in a home victory over Utica on Oct. 24. She led Hartwick in assists in her junior year and has three goals and seven helpers entering this weekend's ECAC matches after scoring to tie the game against Wilkes on Wednesday.

Barton was also an all-state and E8 first teamer last season. This season, Barton's skill on both the offensive and defensive end of the field has been a key to the Hawks' success. She has notched four assists in her junior campaign and has totaled six goals and nine assists for 21 points in her three seasons with the Blue and White.

Chapman is a three-time Empire 8 Goalkeeper of the Week this season making her a five-time winner in two seasons. She earned another four shutouts this year to give her six for her career. She was tied for 2nd in shutouts and third in goals against average (1.21) in the E8. After her first three seasons, Chapman has a career goals against average of 1.25.

Cestari has been a key component of the Hartwick team this season in the midfield. She recorded her best season in four years on the offensive side of the ball netting four goals and adding an assist to become 'Wick's fourth-leading scorer. She registered goals in victories over RPI, Elmira, Morrisville, and Nazareth, and earned an assist in the game's lone goal of a 1-0 victory over Ithaca. Cestari has played in 56 games making 39 starts.

Valliere is a tough defender for the Hawks in 2009 helping the team to six shutouts on the season. She earned second team honors in 2008 and is a three-time NFHCA National Academic Squad. One of 'Wick's most reliable defenders, Valliere has started in each of the Hawks' 55 games over the last three seasons.

Lindoerfer was picked as the Hartwick representative on the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year Team. She was selected for her consistent fair play and sportsmanship throughout the year.