University of North Carolina Athletics
Kolojejchick, Van Sickle Share Team MVP honors
June 18, 2012 | Field Hockey
June 18, 2012
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Following an outstanding 2011 season, in which the Tar Heels finished as the national runners-up, the UNC field hockey program recognized several players with team awards.
Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award: Caitlin Van Sickle and Kelsey Kolojejchick
This marks the second year in a row that Van Sickle has earned the award, making her just the third player in school history to be selected twice. It's also the first time that two players have shared this award. Both players were first-team All-America honorees in 2011, with Kolojejchick, from Larksville, Pa., named the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Van Sickle, from Wilmington, Del., honored as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
"We had the ACC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in 2011 and felt like we could not separate the value of stellar offensive performance and stellar defensive performance," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "They both had outstanding seasons and were extremely valuable to our team, particularly during the time that Katelyn Falgowski was with the National Team."
Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year: Loren Shealy
Shealy, who is from Charlotte, N.C., played in all 25 games as a true freshman and started six. She scored four goals, including the gamewinner in a 2-1 overtime win over Wake Forest on Sept. 18. Shealy enrolled at UNC in January of 2011, gaining a valuable semester of experience with the team prior to the start of her freshman season.
"Loren continues to make daily progress," Shelton said. "She's a student of the game and has grown dramatically in her first year. She gave us great energy off the bench, providing both steady play and also some big moments. She really benefited from the extra semester, and I look forward to watching her continue to progress as she gets more experience."
Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award: Teryn Brill and Meghan Dawson
Both Brill, from Oley, Pa., and Dawson, from Berlin, N.J., were starters on defense in all 25 games. "Both made quiet contributions that spoke dramatically," Shelton said. "Defensive players very rarely get accolades, but without those two, we couldn't have done what we did in 2011. They provided leadership and outstanding play."
Dawson Family Most Improved Player Award: Katie Plyler
Plyler, from Charlotte, N.C., played in 23 games last season, starting two. She scored five goals, including one on her only penalty stroke attempt of the season.
"Katie has worked very hard to become a contributing cog in our team," Shelton said. "She wanted more playing time so she went out and earned it. She's a very determined competitor, and I'm proud of her for making the progress that she has."
Lingo Award as the Players' Player of the Year: Elizabeth Stephens
Stephens, from St. Louis, Mo., started all 25 games for the Tar Heels and finished the year with 11 goals, including both of UNC's goals in the national championship game. As a senior, she served as the team's vice-captain.
"This is probably the most coveted of our program awards," Shelton said. "By the end of her career, Elizabeth Stephens embodied what it means to be a Carolina field hockey student-athlete. She was respected and liked by her teammates and ultimately rose to play the finest game of her career in the national championship."
Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year Award: Meghan Drake
Drake, from Fort Worth, Texas, played in nine of the Tar Heels' 25 games but made a name for herself with her hard work every day in practice.
"Meghan was an almost overwhelming selection for this award," Shelton said. "Many a great Tar Heel defender has developed by playing `duck defense' on corners in practice and Meghan was outstanding in that regard every day. She always worked hard and this made our starting unit better. She's a great example of someone who didn't play much in games but had a big impact on the team's performance."
Keller Award for Open-Play Assists: Kelsey Kolojejchick
Kolojejchick led the team in goals with 23 but also ranked fourth in assists with nine, including two in the NCAA title game. She won the award for the third year in a row. "Kelsey continues to be an offensive threat in her own right but she also looks to make the correct pass at the correct time," Shelton said. "Assists are just as important as the goals, and she excels in both areas."
Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award: Katelyn Falgowski
Falgowski, from Landenberg, Pa., missed nine games during the season because of National Team duties and injuries but her influence on the team was constant. The team captain for the second year, she earned National Player of the Year honors and her No. 23 jersey was retired following the season.
"It would be hard to say we've ever had a better leader than Katelyn Falgowski," Shelton said. "While she juggled dual responsibilities with the national team and Carolina, she led in both arenas this year to the highest degree. Having the ability to shut down some of the greatest players in the world while playing for the U.S. then come back and lead our team to the national championship game speaks volumes."
The Tar Heels open the 2012 season on Aug. 25, taking on Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Winston-Salem, N.C.
