2017 MAC Field Hockey Postseason Awards Announced
Cleveland, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced on Thursday the 2017 postseason field hockey award-winners. All seven field hockey coaches in the league voted for members of the All-MAC First Team, Second Team, as well as a Freshman, Player and Coach of the Year.
The Miami RedHawks junior Paula Portugal was named MAC Player of the Year and highlights the All-MAC First Team. Portugal started in all 17 games for the RedHawks and led the MAC in points (40), goals (16), and goals per game (.94).
Miami freshman Leo Berlie and goalkeeper Maddie Passarella join Portugal on the All-MAC First Team. Berlie was also named 2017 MAC Freshman of the Year, as she was tied for fifth in the MAC for assists and finished with 14 total points this season. Passarella started all 17 games in goal for the RedHawks and earned four shutouts on the season.
Kent State senior, Ines Delpech, was named All-MAC First Team for the third consecutive season. Delpech is joined on the First Team by senior midfielder Jessica Nesbitt as the Golden Flashes won their final four matches to finish the season 5-1 in MAC play.
The head coaches selected Miami’s Inako Puzo as MAC Head Coach of the Year. Puzo led the RedHawks to a 9-8 overall record, including a perfect 6-0 mark in Conference play.
In Appalachian State’s first season in the MAC, they are highlighted by All-MAC First Team performers Taylor Cimbalist and Savanna Sheridan. The Mountaineers finished with an 8-10 overall record, including 3-3 in MAC Play.
Longwood is represented on the All-MAC First Team by seniors Edel Nyland and Lil Sophie Achterwinter as well as junior Leonie Verstraete. Verstraete led the MAC in shots this season (83), and finished second in both points per game (2.00) and goals (13).
Rounding out the All-MAC First Team is Ohio Junior Kendall Ballard, who started in all 16 games for the Bobcats and led the team in goals (8), total points (21) and shots (45).
The 2017 MAC Field Hockey Championship begins Friday as No. 1 Miami takes on No. 4 Appalachian State at 11:30 a.m. ET, with No. 2 Kent State battling No. 3 Longwood immediately following at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET. The 2017 MAC Field Hockey Championship match will be played on Saturday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. ET. For more information about the 2017 MAC Field Hockey Championship, please check out
Championship Central.
Freshman of the Year: Leo Berlie, Miami
Player of the Year: Paula Portugal, Miami
Coach of the Year: Inako Puzo, Miami
2017 All-MAC First Team
Paula Portugal, Miami
Edel Nyland, Longwood
Ines Delpech, Kent State
Leo Berlie, Miami
Kendall Ballard, Ohio
Taylor Cimbalist, Appalachian State
Leonie Verstraete, Longwood
Lil-Sophie Achterwinter, Longwood
Savanna Sheridan, Appalachian State
Jessica Nesbitt, Kent State
Maddie Passarella, Miami
2017 All-MAC Second Team
Avery Sturm, Miami
Carley Shannon, Ball State
Henni Otten, Miami
Maria Russell, Ohio
Clara Rodriguez Seto, Kent State
Berta Jover Llorens, Kent State
Rebecca McLean, Appalachian State
Clara Meschini, Longwood
Jamie Fries, Kent State
Emma Eggleston, Ohio
Katie Wyman, Longwood
