University of New Hampshire Athletics
Field Hockey Honors Student-Athletes at Annual Team Banquet
12/14/2021 12:31:00 PM | Field Hockey
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire field hockey team honored seven student-athletes and acknowledged the six seniors on the 2021 roster for their contributions to the program at the annual team banquet that was held in December.
UNH Field Hockey Award Recipients
Front row (left to right): Bloem van den Brekel, Christina Hathaway, Tia Raspante, Isabelle Danahy
Back row: Jemma Woods, Ava Mariani, Ella Pratt
The Joyce V. Hiller '54 Award (most outstanding performer) was presented to redshirt senior Bloem van den Brekel (Eindhoven, Netherlands), whose 2021 accolades include NFHCA Northeast Region First Team, NFHCA Senior Team, America East Defensive Player of the Year and America East All-Conference First Team.
van den Brekel, who played 1,172 of a possible 1,178 minutes, finished atop the Wildcats' leaderboard in goals (nine), game-winning goals (four), points (19) and shots (65). With those numbers in 19 games (all starts), she ranks second in America East in shots on goal per game (2.58), fifth in shots per game (3.63), ninth in goals and goals per game (0.47), and tied for fourth in game-winning goals.
The Barbara Bridle Peyser '50 Award (Coaches Award) went to redshirt senior Isabelle Danahy (Chelmsford, Mass.), who was named to the 2021 NFHCA Northeast Region Second Team. Danahy started all 19 games and played 1,113 of a possible 1,177 minutes (94.6%) to anchor the midfield. She finished the season with seven points, all on assists, and ranked second on the team with those seven assists. She was also credited with one defensive save.
Danahy ended her Wildcat career with a three-game point streak by recording an assist in the last two regular-season games against Stanford University and the University of Maine, and then in the America East quarterfinal vs. Cal.
The Didio Family Award, in recognition to the player who exemplifies the "Extra Mile" theory, was given to senior Christina Hathaway (Norfolk, Mass). Hathaway played an integral role as a leader both on and off the field for the Wildcats.
The Donna Lynne '74 Award, which honors performance and leadership, was presented to senior Tia Raspante (Sandwich, Mass). Raspante started all 19 games this season and recorded nine points with four goals and an assist. She ended the regular season with a flourish by scoring a goal in three consecutive games (against Columbia, Stanford and Maine).
The Gina Bailey Skelley Award, for excellence on the field and in the classroom, to sophomore Jemma Woods (Frimley, England). The goalkeeper, who is pursuing a degree in health sciences, started all 19 games and played every second (1177:25) in goal. Woods recorded seven wins, a 2.14 GAA, a .725 save percentage and two shutouts.
The Katherine Duffy Sandler '00 and Ross Sandler '98 Award – an Unsung Hero with high levels of performance and competitiveness – was given to junior Ava Mariani (Easton, Pa.). Mariani, who started all 19 games, recorded four goals and four assists for a total of 12 points. With those numbers, she tied for second on the team in goals and ranked third in points.
The Freshman Award is presented by the senior class to the freshman who throughout the season best exemplifies what it means to be a Wildcat. This year's recipient is Ella Pratt (Greenwood Village, Colo.). Pratt was named to the 2021 America East All-Rookie Team. Pratt started the last 13 games and that streak began by playing the full 60 minutes eight consecutive games. Pratt was a vital cog in UNH's defense and midfield, especially during her start streak.
In addition to van den Brekel, Danahy, Hathaway and Raspante, Finn Caron (Hampton, N.H.) and Tori Palumbo (Ayer, Mass.) were honored as outgoing seniors.
THE SENIORS
New Hampshire appeared in the America East tournament for the 14th time in 15 years this past season and finished the year strong with a four-game winning streak near season's end.
UNH Field Hockey Award Recipients
Front row (left to right): Bloem van den Brekel, Christina Hathaway, Tia Raspante, Isabelle Danahy
Back row: Jemma Woods, Ava Mariani, Ella Pratt
The Joyce V. Hiller '54 Award (most outstanding performer) was presented to redshirt senior Bloem van den Brekel (Eindhoven, Netherlands), whose 2021 accolades include NFHCA Northeast Region First Team, NFHCA Senior Team, America East Defensive Player of the Year and America East All-Conference First Team.
van den Brekel, who played 1,172 of a possible 1,178 minutes, finished atop the Wildcats' leaderboard in goals (nine), game-winning goals (four), points (19) and shots (65). With those numbers in 19 games (all starts), she ranks second in America East in shots on goal per game (2.58), fifth in shots per game (3.63), ninth in goals and goals per game (0.47), and tied for fourth in game-winning goals.
The Barbara Bridle Peyser '50 Award (Coaches Award) went to redshirt senior Isabelle Danahy (Chelmsford, Mass.), who was named to the 2021 NFHCA Northeast Region Second Team. Danahy started all 19 games and played 1,113 of a possible 1,177 minutes (94.6%) to anchor the midfield. She finished the season with seven points, all on assists, and ranked second on the team with those seven assists. She was also credited with one defensive save.
Danahy ended her Wildcat career with a three-game point streak by recording an assist in the last two regular-season games against Stanford University and the University of Maine, and then in the America East quarterfinal vs. Cal.
The Didio Family Award, in recognition to the player who exemplifies the "Extra Mile" theory, was given to senior Christina Hathaway (Norfolk, Mass). Hathaway played an integral role as a leader both on and off the field for the Wildcats.
The Donna Lynne '74 Award, which honors performance and leadership, was presented to senior Tia Raspante (Sandwich, Mass). Raspante started all 19 games this season and recorded nine points with four goals and an assist. She ended the regular season with a flourish by scoring a goal in three consecutive games (against Columbia, Stanford and Maine).
The Gina Bailey Skelley Award, for excellence on the field and in the classroom, to sophomore Jemma Woods (Frimley, England). The goalkeeper, who is pursuing a degree in health sciences, started all 19 games and played every second (1177:25) in goal. Woods recorded seven wins, a 2.14 GAA, a .725 save percentage and two shutouts.
The Katherine Duffy Sandler '00 and Ross Sandler '98 Award – an Unsung Hero with high levels of performance and competitiveness – was given to junior Ava Mariani (Easton, Pa.). Mariani, who started all 19 games, recorded four goals and four assists for a total of 12 points. With those numbers, she tied for second on the team in goals and ranked third in points.
The Freshman Award is presented by the senior class to the freshman who throughout the season best exemplifies what it means to be a Wildcat. This year's recipient is Ella Pratt (Greenwood Village, Colo.). Pratt was named to the 2021 America East All-Rookie Team. Pratt started the last 13 games and that streak began by playing the full 60 minutes eight consecutive games. Pratt was a vital cog in UNH's defense and midfield, especially during her start streak.
In addition to van den Brekel, Danahy, Hathaway and Raspante, Finn Caron (Hampton, N.H.) and Tori Palumbo (Ayer, Mass.) were honored as outgoing seniors.
THE SENIORS
New Hampshire appeared in the America East tournament for the 14th time in 15 years this past season and finished the year strong with a four-game winning streak near season's end.
Players Mentioned
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