LANCASTER, Pa. – On the heels of its fourth consecutive Centennial Conference championship, four members of the Ursinus College field hockey team earned recognition on the 2016 All-Centennial Conference Team as announced by the league office Monday afternoon.
Seniors Aliki Torrence and Amber Steigerwalt were named to the first team, sophomore Bridget Sherry received second team honors, and freshman Erin Saybolt was selected as the conference's Rookie of the Year. Senior Ann Kopera was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Torrence becomes the fifth player in program history – and one of only 20 in CC history – to collect three first team all-conference nods after another stellar campaign. One of the top backs in the nation, Torrence anchors a defense that has conceded only 22 goals in 20 games to rank 19th in Division III in goals-against average. A four-time all-conference honoree, Torrence has expanded her repertoire on the offensive end, ranking fifth on the team in points (12). She has four goals and four assists this season, including a helper in Saturday's 5-2 CC semifinal victory against Dickinson.
Steigerwalt is a first team All-CC choice for the second straight year. The Bears' pace-setter in goals (16) and points (37), she scored three goals in two CC tournament contests, including two first-half strikes against the Red Devils and the opening tally in the 2-1 thriller against Franklin & Marshall in the title game. A three-time All-CC performer, Steigerwalt is tied for fifth in Ursinus history in goals (57) and ranks sixth in points (140); she sits eighth in CC history in points and tied for 10th in goals. Her 15 game-winning goals are tied for sixth in the conference record books.
Sherry garnered her second consecutive second team selection. The Most Valuable Player of the CC tournament, Sherry converted the title-clinching penalty stroke with 4:20 remaining in overtime to lift Ursinus to a 2-1 victory over the Diplomats. Sherry did not record a point as a rookie but has nine this year, including four goals – all of them on penalty strokes. The sophomore also collected Academic All-Centennial honors.
Saybolt is the second Bear to be chosen Rookie of the Year, joining three-time CC Player of the Year Megan Keenan '16, who did it in 2012. She has started all 20 games this season, registering two goals and two assists; five of her six points have come in the past six contests, and both of her markers were of the game-winning variety.
The Bears are making their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. They will meet either Trinity (Conn.) or Cabrini in a second-round contest at 2 p.m. Saturday at Salisbury.