Berlie and Verstraete Share Player of the Week Honors
Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week
Leonor Berlie, Miami University
Midfielder, Sophomore, Geneva, Switzerland (College De Candolle)
Leo Berlie was a key part of the RedHawks defense that was dominant yet again on the week, allowing only five corners combined in two games, and only 12 total shots, of which only seven made it on cage. Miami allowed only four goals all weekend long, under 2.00 per game, which ranked second in the conference. She also led the MAC in scoring this week, notching three goals and an assist in her two games as Miami went 1-1 on the week, including a loss to Louisville on the road in overtime. Berlie got the game-winner in the contest against St. Louis, scoring the opening goal for the RedHawks before assisting on the fourth goal of the game. In the Louisville contest, Berlie twice put the RedHawks in the lead with a pair of goals; she is only the second person in the country this year to get two goals past All-World keeper Ayeshia McFerran of Louisville.
Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week
Leonie Verstraete, Longwood
Forward, Senior, Utrecht, The Netherlands (Werkplaats)
Verstraete went off for her first career hat trick against Ohio, scoring three goals and dishing an assist to lead the Lancers to a 4-3 win in MAC play. Verstraete contributed to all three goals, scoring the first one, assisting senior classmate Sophia DeFeo on the second, and then punching in the last two in the second half. Verstraete put seven of her 12 shots on goal in that game and recorded Longwood's first hat trick since Abbey Ripley did so in a 5-1 win over Dartmouth on Sept. 3, 2017.
Other Nominees
Clara Rodriguez Setó, Kent State University
Back, Sophomore, Barcelona, Spain
Clara Rodriguez Setó is instrumental to the Kent State defense and continues to provide a spark to the attack. In a victory over Ball State, the Barcelona, Spain native provided an assist as the inserter on the penalty corner. In addition to creating key turnovers throughout both contests, she also recorded an important defensive save on a corner against No. 22 Ohio State, her fourth of the season. On the year, Rodriguez Setó is at the top of the MAC leaderboards in both defensive saves and assists (all games).
Annette Jarosz, Appalachian State
Midfielder, Sophomore, Elkridge, Maryland (Howard)
Jarosz played a crucial role in Appalachian's 5-1 win over Central Michigan. Against the Chippewas, Jarosz played all 70 minutes, making many key plays on the back line and in the midfield for the Mountaineers. The Elkridge, Maryland native also netted her first goal of the season to put Appalachian ahead 1-0 within the first five minutes of Friday's game. Jarosz has played 70 or more minutes 13 times this season, including five games with 75+ minutes on the field. The conference leader in defensive saves also ranks third all-time in Mountaineers' history with nine career defensive saves.
Jillian Shive, Ohio University
MF, Sophomore, Lebanon (Ursuline Academy)
In her first season with the Bobcats, Jillian has been the cornerstone of the Ohio offence. An unassuming leader, she has set the example both on and off the field, remaining unchallenged at the top of Ohio’s leaderboard for goals. During last weekend’s contest with Longwood, Jillian scored two of the Bobcat’s three goals, the first of which she opened the scoring with a show-stopping deflection shot. Jillian’s second goal of the game was no-less impressive – coming from an outstanding redirection to equalize the game early into the 2nd half. Jillian’s game-winning goal percentage is the best in the MAC, and she tallies third in overall goals, points per game and goals per game.
Estel Roig, Miami University
Midfielder, Senior, Terrassa, Catalonia (Campus ESART)
Estel Roig played a key role in an attack that was dominant over the weekend, earning 22 short corners and 28 shots over two games. Roig's play helped the RedHawks maintain possession for the majority of the two games and was a consistent presence in the circle. She notched an assist in the win over St. Louis to get on the scoreboard after helping Miami earn many of the corners in that contest. In the game against Louisville, Roig was a part of both Miami goals that gave the RedHawks the lead in both cases. Miami had more short corners and shots on goal that the Cardinals in the contest, thanks to the play of Roig.
Veerle Van Heertum, Appalachain State
Midfielder, Sophomore, Valkenswaard, Netherlands (SG Weredi)
Van Heertum's sharpshooting off penalty corners helped the Mountaineers storm past Central Michigan for their first win MAC win of 2018. The sophomore netted both of her goals off penalty corners, smashing both shots from the top of the circle. Van Heertum has tallied three or more points in a game four times this season, including in back-to-back contests. The Valkenswaard, Netherlands native has started all 15 games this season for Appalachian and leads the team in points (19), goals (eight), shots (39) and shots on goal (18). Van Heertum played 45 minutes in Appalachian's 5-1 victory.
