University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Announce 2015 Team Awards
December 22, 2015 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina field hockey program recently announced the winners of its team awards for the 2015 season. While all 30 players on the roster contributed to the team's success, which included an Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and an NCAA runner-up finish, annual team honors went to those who distinguished themselves in various categories. Players voted on the awards following the end of the season.
Recipients of team awards for 2015 are:
Ken and Cheryl Williams Rookie of the Year: Ashley Hoffman
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, Hoffman started all 24 games, playing in the midfield and at back. She scored seven goals and added one assist, and was named to the All-South Region second team.
Marjorie Moses Schwab Unsung Hero Award: Kristy Bernatchez
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, Bernatchez played in 22 games and started 18 after returning from a leg injury suffered over the summer. Playing in the backfield, she had two assists and also two defensive saves.
Dawson Family Most Improved Player Award: Gab Major
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 sophomore, Major led the team with 18 goals, five of them game-winners. She also had nine assists for a team-best 45 points. She more than tripled her goals total from her freshman year, when she came off the bench to contribute five goals.
Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year: Casey Di Nardo
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.
Di Nardo, a senior from Virginia Beach, Va., started all 24 games at forward and scored 11 goals. She earned first-team All-South Region honors and second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference Honors.
Lingo Award as the Players' Player of the Year: Emily Wold
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.
Wold, a senior from Freehold, N.J., earned the award for the third year in a row.
Keller Award for Open-Play Assists: Malin Evert
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.
Evert, a freshman, had six assists during the season, all of them in open-field play. She started all 24 games at forward.
Caitlin "Poppy" Van Sickle Defensive Player of the Year Award: Julia Young
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).
Young, a junior, anchored the Tar Heel back line and also served as the team's vice-captain. She finished the year with 10 assists, second on the team, and earned second-team All-America honors.
Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award: Emily Wold
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.
Wold served as the team captain as a senior.
Anderson Mark of Excellence Most Valuable Player Award: Nina Notman, Emily Wold
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.
Both Notman and Wold earned first-team All-America and first-team All-ACC honors in 2015. Each started all 24 games in the midfield.
Wold scored 14 goals and added 11 assists. She finished her UNC career ranked third all-time in program history in assists.
Notman, a senior from Hamburg, Germany, scored 14 goals and added seven assists as a senior. After playing three season at UNC, she graduated in December with a degree in psychology.
