All-NCAC Field Hockey Teams
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2011 ALL-NCAC FIELD HOCKEY SQUAD ANNOUNCED; 2011 All-NCAC Field Hockey Squads Denison junior goalie Brittany Benson (Wilmette, IL/New Trier) and DePauw junior attack Margaret Ellis (St. Louis, MO/Whitfield) have been named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, to highlight the 2011 All-North Coast Athletic Conference field hockey selections.
Benson {right} makes her first appearance on the NCAC’s top squad, and picks up her second overall all-conference selection as she was a member of the second team in 2010. Benson, who anchored the Big Red’s defensive unit that allowed just 13 goals in 20 games this season, led all NCAC goalies in shutouts (11), goals against average (0.68) and save percentage (.869). Of the 13 first-team selections in 2011, Ohio Wesleyan senior midfielder Alyse Marotta (Dublin, OH/Jerome) and Wittenberg senior attack Elizabeth Dwyer (St. Louis, MO/Ladue) were the only two players to have made previous appearances on the league’s top squad. Dwyer garnered first-team recognition in 2009, while Marotta was named to the first team in 2008. In addition, both Dwyer and Marotta were members of the second team in 2010. Denison sophomore Katie McMahon (Wilmette, IL/New Trier), Ohio Wesleyan sophomore Jenna Ortega (Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard West) and Wooster sophomore Josie Rey (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park & River Forest) each earned first-team laurels after being named to the second team in 2010, while Oberlin sophomore Karin Yoshida (Himeji, Japan/Westminster School) made her debut on the first team after being an honorable-mention selection a year ago. In addition, five student-athletes make their All-NCAC debut as first-team selections this season, including DePauw sophomore Chelsea Cutler (Victoria, B.C./Mt. Douglas Secondary), Denison sophomore Karla Dixon (Toledo, OH/Ottawa Hills), Denison senior Kelsey Flowers (Darien, CT/Darien), DePauw freshman Paige Henry (Louisville, KY/Kentucky Country Day) and Denison freshman Tara Pesman (Veldhoven, Netherlands/Sondervick College). Henry {left} was also named the Newcomer of the Year after netting eight goals and dishing out three assists for 19 total points in 19 games this season.
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Ellis {left} garnered the Offensive Player of the Year award after leading the NCAC in all three major offensive categories with 24 goals and nine assists for 57 total points. Ellis, who also shared the league lead with seven game-winning goals, helped guide the Tigers to a share of the NCAC Championship and an overall record of 16-3 in DPU’s inaugural season in the league.
Denison head coach P.J. Soteriades {right} was voted Coach of the Year for the third time in her career after also earning the honor in 2002 and 2009. Soteriades, who led the Big Red to a share of their eighth NCAC Championship as well as their first-ever NCAC Tournament championship, holds an overall record of 112-115 in 12 seasons at Denison.