Four Field Hockey Players Named to All-American Teams

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November 23, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Cavalier seniors Lori Mastropietro (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock), Meridith Thorpe (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs) and Michelle Vizzuso (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) were all named to the NFHCA All-American teams while junior Meredith Elwell (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) was named to the squad for the first time in her career today. Mastopietro and Vizzuso were named to the first team, Thorpe to the second team, and Elwell to the third team.

Mastropietro was the ACC Player of the Year in 1998, the first Cavalier to be so honored. The starting sweeper for the Cavaliers the last three seasons, Mastropietro is a member of the United States national team and is one of the captains for the 1998 Virginia squad. She anchored the Cavalier backfield, which ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense at 1.28 goals per game. In 1997, the Cavaliers led the nation in scoring defense, allowing less than a goal per game. Mastropietro can also score, having five goals and seven assists this season, including two game-winning goals and two game-winning assists in the 1998 campaign. This is her second consecutive nomination to the All-American team, as she was a third team selection in 1997.

Vizzuso is the Cavalier record holder in assists with 60, which ranks second all-time in the ACC and 11th in Division I history. She holds the two top seasonal records, and her 25 this season led the ACC. She has 14 goals and 25 assists in 1998, which leads the Cavaliers with 53 points, the fourth-highest total in school history for a single season. For the third consecutive season, she has reached double-digit totals in goals and assists, and she also is the only person in Cavalier history to record double-digit totals in game-winning goals (11) and assists (12) in a career. Shell was a two-time ACC Player of the Week selection, on Sept. 14 and Nov. 3.

She is also a member of the United States national team. She is the first player in ACC history to reach 50 goals and 60 assists.

Thorpe is the all-time leading scorer in the ACC with 230 points, including a conference record 101 goals. Thorpe, who led the team in scoring each of her first three seasons, currently has 19 goals and 9 assists, good enough for second on the 1998 squad. Her 17 goals led the ACC in goals in 1998 in the regular season. A three-time first-team All-American and All-Conference team member, Thorpe is also a member of the United States national squad.Thorpe’s 101 goals and 230 points rank 7th nationally in Division I history. Thorpe was ACC Player of the Week on October 19 and was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1995. This is her fourth consecutive selection to the All-American teams. She was a first-team All-American her first three seasons

Elwell is making her first appearance on the squad. Elwell was tied with Thorpe for the league lead in goals scored with 17. She currently ranks third on the team in scoring with 18 goals and 8 assists for 43 points. The 1996 ACC Rookie of the Year, Elwell is a member of the United States Under-23 team.