Three Cavaliers Selected as NFHCA All-Americans
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia field hockey players Paige Selenski, Inga Stöckel and Michelle Vittese were named All-Americans by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, the organization announced Monday. Selenski was named to the first team, Stöckel to the second team and Vittese to the third team.
Virginia’s three selections are the most since Lori Mastropietro (first team), Meridith Thorpe (second team) and Meredith Elwell (third team) were named to their respective teams in 1998.
It is the second honor for Selenski, who was selected as a second-team honoree in 2008. It is the first honor for both Stöckel and Vittese; all three are sophomores for the Orange and Blue.
Selenski, a Shavertown, Pa., native, led the Cavaliers with 27 goals this season, the third-most in program history in a single season. Her eight game-winning goals also led the conference. She was tabbed the NFHCA South Regional Player of the Year in addition to being named a first-team all-south region and and All-ACC selection for the second consecutive year.
Stöckel, who hails from Mulheim an de Ruhr, Germany, had six goals and a team-best 12 assists in her first season as a Cavalier. A playmaker in the midfield, Stöckel also has three game-winning goals and a defensive save this season. She was an All-ACC honoree and a first-team all-region selection.
Vittese contributed six goals and nine assists in 2009. The Woodbury, N.J., native had two game-winners, both against ACC opponents, and also converted both of her penalty stroke opportunities, including the game-winner over Wake Forest in overtime on Oct. 11. She was an all-conference and first-team all-south region selection.
In addition, Selenski, Stöckel and Vittese were named first-team All-Americans by womensfieldhockey.com, while Kim Kastuk was named to the second team and Charlotte van den Broek to the third team in addition to being named to the all-rookie squad.
Virginia concluded the season with a 20-4 record and made its third trip to the NCAA semifinals. The Cavaliers set a program record for wins (20) and games played (24) in a season.