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Three 'Cats Receive NFHCA All-Region Awards
11/25/2019 4:35:00 PM | Field Hockey
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Bloem van den Brekel (Eindhoven, Netherlands), a junior midfielder on the University of New Hampshire field hockey team, was named to the 2019 Longstreth/NFHCA Division I Northeast Region First Team on Monday.
Senior midfielder and captain Kayla Sliz (Ajax, Ontario) and freshman back Maura Verleg (Geldrop, Netherlands) were selected to the Northeast Region Second Team.
van den Brekel, an America East East Division First Team honoree, started all 15 games in which she played this season and tallied 11 points on four goals and team-high three assists; she was also credited with one defensive save. She was a dangerous option for the Wildcats at the top of the circle on penalty corners with her direct shot or by distributing the ball to a teammate. Her versatility to go to forehand or the reverse stick made van den Brekel a challenge to defend, and that skill led to a team-high 49 shots. Her season highlights included a one-goal, one-assist effort against both nationally-ranked UAlbany and Holy Cross.
Sliz, who was voted to the conference's East Division Second Team, is another lynchpin in New Hampshire's midfield who started all 18 games and played 1,028 minutes. She ranked second on the team in both goals (five) and points (12), as well as shots (42). Sliz tallied a career-high five points at Dartmouth College with a personal-best two goals and one assist. Her other season highlights included a goal and assist in the 3-2 win vs. nationally-ranked Stanford.
Verleg was one of four other Wildcats – and the only freshman – to start all 18 games. She played 1,100 of a possible 1,130 minutes, which was more than any 'Cat, to anchor UNH's defensive unit. Her stick skills and passing skills were a vital component in New Hampshire's transition from defense to offense. Verleg was an instrumental part of the both penalty corner units, including one of the stick-stops on offense. She tied for the team lead in assists with three.
Earlier this month, Verleg was named the 2019 America East Rookie of the Year; she was also East Division All-Conference First Team and All-Rookie Team.
New Hampshire advanced to the America East Championship tournament for the 13th consecutive year. The Wildcats finished 8-10 overall and 2-3 in the conference with two wins against nationally-ranked teams.
Senior midfielder and captain Kayla Sliz (Ajax, Ontario) and freshman back Maura Verleg (Geldrop, Netherlands) were selected to the Northeast Region Second Team.
van den Brekel, an America East East Division First Team honoree, started all 15 games in which she played this season and tallied 11 points on four goals and team-high three assists; she was also credited with one defensive save. She was a dangerous option for the Wildcats at the top of the circle on penalty corners with her direct shot or by distributing the ball to a teammate. Her versatility to go to forehand or the reverse stick made van den Brekel a challenge to defend, and that skill led to a team-high 49 shots. Her season highlights included a one-goal, one-assist effort against both nationally-ranked UAlbany and Holy Cross.
Sliz, who was voted to the conference's East Division Second Team, is another lynchpin in New Hampshire's midfield who started all 18 games and played 1,028 minutes. She ranked second on the team in both goals (five) and points (12), as well as shots (42). Sliz tallied a career-high five points at Dartmouth College with a personal-best two goals and one assist. Her other season highlights included a goal and assist in the 3-2 win vs. nationally-ranked Stanford.
Verleg was one of four other Wildcats – and the only freshman – to start all 18 games. She played 1,100 of a possible 1,130 minutes, which was more than any 'Cat, to anchor UNH's defensive unit. Her stick skills and passing skills were a vital component in New Hampshire's transition from defense to offense. Verleg was an instrumental part of the both penalty corner units, including one of the stick-stops on offense. She tied for the team lead in assists with three.
Earlier this month, Verleg was named the 2019 America East Rookie of the Year; she was also East Division All-Conference First Team and All-Rookie Team.
New Hampshire advanced to the America East Championship tournament for the 13th consecutive year. The Wildcats finished 8-10 overall and 2-3 in the conference with two wins against nationally-ranked teams.
Players Mentioned
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