GANSEVOORT, N.Y. – The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) has announced its 2015 Field Hockey All-Conference selections, with first-team honors being awarded by position to a total of 14 student-athletes, as selected by the conference coaches.  This is the first-ever NEAC Field Hockey All-Conference Team after holding its inaugural season as a conference-sponsored sport this year.

The NEAC has also announced its field hockey individual award winners, as also selected by the conference coaches.  

Keuka College freshman Elizabeth Sherman (Auburn, N.Y.) was named both the NEAC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year after a tremendous debut season for the Wolfpack.  Sherman was phenomenal in goal for Keuka, as she started all 15 Wolfpack contests and led the conference in both saves (258) and save percentage (.752) while twice being named the NEAC Defensive Player of the Week.  Sherman’s average of 17.20 saves per game was also a league best, while currently ranking her third across all of NCAA Division III.  Sherman made at least 20 saves in five separate contests and had another outing with 19 stops, which came in a 1-0 conference victory over Wells en route to posting a .870 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average against NEAC opponents.  Sherman was also named to the NEAC All-Conference First Team. 

 

Wells College senior Shelby Bourn (Sidney, N.Y) was selected as the NEAC Defensive Player of the Year after an excellent season for the Express.  Bourn started in all 15 Express contests and anchored a defense that allowed just four total goals to NEAC opponents to help Wells clinch a spot in the NEAC Championship this Saturday.  Bourn, a NEAC Defensive Player of the Week selection this season, was the team leader in minutes played and also posted a team-best five defensive saves, which was the fourth-most in the conference.  That helped the Express post a 1.93 goals-against average on the season, which was the team’s second-best mark in the last decade.  Bourn also garnered a spot on the NEAC All-Conference First Team. 

 

 

Wilson College head coach Shelly Novak was selected by her peers as the NEAC Coach of the Year after guiding the Phoenix to a terrific season.  Novak led her squad to a perfect 3-0 record in conference play, which clinched the NEAC regular season title and the right to host the NEAC Championship this Saturday.  The Phoenix also led all conference teams in goals (31) and assists (18) en route to finishing the regular season 8-7 overall.

 

 

 

 

Below are the NEAC Field Hockey All-Conference First Team selections:  

 *Denotes tie in voting

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The North Eastern Athletic Conference has fourteen NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cazenovia College, College of St. Elizabeth, Gallaudet University, Keuka College, Lancaster Bible College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Pennsylvania State University - Abington, Pennsylvania State University - Berks, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Institute of Technology, SUNY Morrisville State College, Wells College, and Wilson College.  Associate members are: Cedar Crest College (W Swimming), D’Youville College (M Volleyball), Hilbert College (M Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Medaille College (M&W Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Penn State Altoona (M Volleyball) and Rutgers University - Camden (M Golf).  The North Eastern Athletic Conference has partnered with the North Atlantic Conference in the sports of field hockey and men’s and women’s tennis.