University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heel co-captains Ashley Hoffman (left) and Gab Major both were recipients of team awards.
Photo by: ACC
Tar Heels Announce Team Awards
December 12, 2017 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – On the heels of an outstanding 2017 season, the North Carolina field hockey program recently announced the winners of its annual team awards.
UNC finished the 2017 campaign with a record of 18-5 and won the program's 20th Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The Tar Heels advanced to the final four for the ninth year in a row and the 22nd time in school history before falling to eventual-champion UConn in a penalty shootout in the NCAA semifinals.
With just 24 players on the roster, the fewest in recent years, each team member played a role in the squad's success. Team awards honor those who distinguished themselves in specific categories. Players voted on the awards after the season ended.
Recipients of team awards for 2017 are:
Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year: Eva Smolenaars
This award, named for Tar Heel supporters Ken and Cheryl Williams, recognizes the individual's ability to play an early role and her potential to impact the future of the program. As a freshman, Smolenaars started every game in the midfield and finished with two goals and an assist.
Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award: Morgan Goetz
Named for Marjorie Moses "Dee" Schwab, this award recognizes that individual who plays an integral part in the team's overall successes but receives little attention. This player is usually a defensive workhorse who quietly does what it takes on a consistent basis. As a junior, Goetz started all 23 games in the backfield.
Dawson Family Most Improved Player Award: Amanda Hendry
Named for the Dawson family, strong supporters of the program while watching three daughters playing for the Tar Heels, this award honors a player who has shown improvement throughout her career, putting in the work necessary to meet and surpass her potential.
As a redshirt freshman, Hendry started every game at goalkeeper for the Tar Heels, which allowed just 22 goals in the season's 23 games. She was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament Team and was honored as ACC Defensive Player of the Week.
Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year: Eva van't Hoog
This award goes to the player who maintains the highest level of intensity in practice throughout the year, helping to make her teammates better by keeping workouts as competitive as possible. Players are awarded points for winning practice competitions and/or making exceptional plays. Tabulations are kept throughout the year.
Van't Hoog, a junior midfielder, earned first-team All-America and All-ACC honors. She ranked second on the team in assists with 12 and added seven goals.
Lingo Award as the Players' Player of the Year: Eva van't Hoog
For the selection of this award, named in honor of the Lingo family, the players vote for one of their peers. However, it's not simply a popularity contest. The winner is the player who represents Carolina with the most dedication, commitment and intensity, and embodies what it means to wear a Tar Heel uniform.
As the recipient of this award, van't Hoog became the second player in program history to win both the Players' Player and Practice Player in the same year. Emma Bozek won both last season, the first time that had been done.
Keller Award for Open-Play Assists: Marissa Creatore
This award is named in honor of Richard and Gail Keller, who sent all three of their daughters to play for the Tar Heels. This honor recognizes an unselfish player who sets up open-field goals for her teammates. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding skill, vision and decision-making in the offensive circle.
Creatore, a sophomore forward, finished with eight assists, third on the team.
Caitlin "Poppy" Van Sickle Defensive Player of the Year Award: Ashley Hoffman
The Carolina program has always taken great pride in its defensive strength and this award, new in 2013-14, recognizes the player whose hard work and leadership has had the biggest impact on the Tar Heel defense. The award honors Caitlin Van Sickle, aka Poppy, a three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2010-12).
Hoffman, a junior, anchored the Tar Heel back line and also served as a team co-captain. A first-team All-America selection, she was honored as the 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, an award Van Sickle won three times.
Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award: Gab Major
This award, established in honor of former chancellor Michael Hooker and his wife, Carmen, recognizes a Tar Heel who provides significant leadership throughout the season. Leadership by example is a Carolina tradition, and this individual inspires her teammates to perform at a higher level in practices and in games.
Major was the only senior on the 2017 roster and served as a co-captain. She started all 22 games in which she appeared and led the team in assists with 14.
Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award: Ashley Hoffman
This award is named for Tar Heel supporter Gene Anderson and is presented to a player who demonstrates outstanding skill, character, competitive drive, leadership and devotion to team goals. These traits are embodied by the individual that the coaches deem most valuable to team success.
In addition to her defensive play, Hoffman tied for the team lead in goals with 11. She was the MVP of the ACC Championship and a finalist for the Honda Award.
UNC finished the 2017 campaign with a record of 18-5 and won the program's 20th Atlantic Coast Conference championship. The Tar Heels advanced to the final four for the ninth year in a row and the 22nd time in school history before falling to eventual-champion UConn in a penalty shootout in the NCAA semifinals.
With just 24 players on the roster, the fewest in recent years, each team member played a role in the squad's success. Team awards honor those who distinguished themselves in specific categories. Players voted on the awards after the season ended.
Recipients of team awards for 2017 are:
Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year: Eva Smolenaars
This award, named for Tar Heel supporters Ken and Cheryl Williams, recognizes the individual's ability to play an early role and her potential to impact the future of the program. As a freshman, Smolenaars started every game in the midfield and finished with two goals and an assist.
Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award: Morgan Goetz
Named for Marjorie Moses "Dee" Schwab, this award recognizes that individual who plays an integral part in the team's overall successes but receives little attention. This player is usually a defensive workhorse who quietly does what it takes on a consistent basis. As a junior, Goetz started all 23 games in the backfield.
Dawson Family Most Improved Player Award: Amanda Hendry
Named for the Dawson family, strong supporters of the program while watching three daughters playing for the Tar Heels, this award honors a player who has shown improvement throughout her career, putting in the work necessary to meet and surpass her potential.
As a redshirt freshman, Hendry started every game at goalkeeper for the Tar Heels, which allowed just 22 goals in the season's 23 games. She was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament Team and was honored as ACC Defensive Player of the Week.
Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year: Eva van't Hoog
This award goes to the player who maintains the highest level of intensity in practice throughout the year, helping to make her teammates better by keeping workouts as competitive as possible. Players are awarded points for winning practice competitions and/or making exceptional plays. Tabulations are kept throughout the year.
Van't Hoog, a junior midfielder, earned first-team All-America and All-ACC honors. She ranked second on the team in assists with 12 and added seven goals.
Lingo Award as the Players' Player of the Year: Eva van't Hoog
For the selection of this award, named in honor of the Lingo family, the players vote for one of their peers. However, it's not simply a popularity contest. The winner is the player who represents Carolina with the most dedication, commitment and intensity, and embodies what it means to wear a Tar Heel uniform.
As the recipient of this award, van't Hoog became the second player in program history to win both the Players' Player and Practice Player in the same year. Emma Bozek won both last season, the first time that had been done.
Keller Award for Open-Play Assists: Marissa Creatore
This award is named in honor of Richard and Gail Keller, who sent all three of their daughters to play for the Tar Heels. This honor recognizes an unselfish player who sets up open-field goals for her teammates. The recipient must demonstrate outstanding skill, vision and decision-making in the offensive circle.
Creatore, a sophomore forward, finished with eight assists, third on the team.
Caitlin "Poppy" Van Sickle Defensive Player of the Year Award: Ashley Hoffman
The Carolina program has always taken great pride in its defensive strength and this award, new in 2013-14, recognizes the player whose hard work and leadership has had the biggest impact on the Tar Heel defense. The award honors Caitlin Van Sickle, aka Poppy, a three-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2010-12).
Hoffman, a junior, anchored the Tar Heel back line and also served as a team co-captain. A first-team All-America selection, she was honored as the 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, an award Van Sickle won three times.
Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award: Gab Major
This award, established in honor of former chancellor Michael Hooker and his wife, Carmen, recognizes a Tar Heel who provides significant leadership throughout the season. Leadership by example is a Carolina tradition, and this individual inspires her teammates to perform at a higher level in practices and in games.
Major was the only senior on the 2017 roster and served as a co-captain. She started all 22 games in which she appeared and led the team in assists with 14.
Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award: Ashley Hoffman
This award is named for Tar Heel supporter Gene Anderson and is presented to a player who demonstrates outstanding skill, character, competitive drive, leadership and devotion to team goals. These traits are embodied by the individual that the coaches deem most valuable to team success.
In addition to her defensive play, Hoffman tied for the team lead in goals with 11. She was the MVP of the ACC Championship and a finalist for the Honda Award.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Back
/ Field Hockey
Goalkeeper
/ Field Hockey
Midfield/Back
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field Hockey
Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Midfield
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