MAC Field Hockey Defensive Player of the Week
Annette Jarosz, Appalachian State
Defense, Junior, Elkridge, Md. (Howard)
Annette Jarosz recorded a defensive save and played all 120 minutes in App State’s pair of victories this weekend. Jarosz’s first defensive save of the season was the 12th in her App State career, tying her for the most career defensive saves in program history. Jarosz’s stop came in the fourth quarter in Sunday’s win over Davidson when the Mountaineers led the Wildcats by just a single goal. The junior’s continued effort in the backfield has helped the Mountaineers shut out three opponents, allowing just two goals in four games this season.
MAC Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week
Meghan Smart, Appalachian State
Forward/Midfielder, Junior, Haddonfield, N.J. (Haddonfield Memorial)
Meghan Smart tallied two goals, five shots and four shots on goal in another undefeated weekend for the Mountaineers. Smart’s two goals came in a 3-2 win against Lafayette where the junior notched her third game-winning goal of the season. Smart’s game-winner came with less than four minutes remaining to propel App State to its first 3-0 start since 2003. Smart’s first goal of the weekend gave the Black and Gold a 2-1 advantage in the third quarter against Lafayette. Smart leads the Mountaineers in goals (five), shots (10), shots on goal (nine) and game-winning goals (three).
Other Nominees
Marie Gorner, Miami
Midfielder, Senior, Seddin, Germany (Wolkenberg-Gymnasium)
Senior midfielder Marie Görner was Miami's defensive leader this past week as the RedHawks earned their first shutout of the season. Görner began the week with a defensive save at No. 16 Delaware before scoring a goal in Miami's win against Indiana. In the win against the Hoosiers, the RedHawks allowed only three shots on goal during the game. Miami earned its first shutout of the season with a 3-0 win against Saint Louis on Sunday in which Görner and the RedHawk defense allowed just one shot during the entire game and did not give up any penalty corners.
Azure Fernsler, Kent State
Goalkeeper, Junior, SINKING SPRING, PA.
Kent State junior Azure Fernsler posted a stellar performance in goal this past weekend. After bouncing back from a 4-2 loss against Louisville on Wednesday, Fernsler aided in the Flashes’ first shutout of the season against Temple on Friday and then posted a career-high 10 saves in the 2-1 win over the No. 24 Maine on Sunday. On the season, Fernsler has 32 saves and holds an 80.0 save percentage.
Allie Grace Joyner, Miami
Forward, Junior, Louisville, Ky. (Christian Academy of Louisville)
Junior forward Allie Grace Joyner was instrumental in Miami's offensive breakout this week. Joyner scored in each of Miami's three games this week, totaling four of the RedHawks nine goals. She began the week with a goal at No. 16 Delaware before scoring one against Indiana and registering her first career multi-goal game in a 3-0 shutout against Saint Louis. The RedHawk offense generated 51 shots in three games this week, 24 of which were on target, and earned 26 penalty corners.
Sierra Jefferson, Ball State
Forward, Redshirt Junior, Bethlehem, Pa.
Jefferson continues to shine offensively for the Cardinals. She opened this week's competition with a goal against UC Davis on Thursday to give Ball State the early 1-0 edge over the Aggies. Jefferson then carried that momentum into the Cardinals home opener Friday against Saint Louis as she scored early on in the contest, helping Ball State to a 3-0 shutout over the Billikens. For the week, Jefferson led Ball State with two goals and four points.
Kendall Ballard, Ohio
Midfield, Redshirt Senior, Charlottesville, Va.
Kendall Ballard continues to be the main point of the offensive attack for the Bobcats. Ballard recorded seven shots, five on goal, and knocked one of them home to help the Bobcats start their season 2-1 for the first time since 2012.
Clara Rodriguez Seto, Kent State
Back, Junior, Barcelona, Spain
Clara Rodriguez Seto has been lighting it up as of late as she scored four goals over the last three games. Rodriguez Seto’s week was highlighted by her two goals and an assist against Temple on Friday. She also added a goal against Louisville and a goal against Maine. She leads the team with four goals and has fired nine shots on the season as she’s on pace to smash her career-best 6-goal season in 2018. Rodriguez Seto has been crucial to the Flashes in herjunior season, serving as the inputter on penalty corners all season and setting up several scoring opportunities for Kent State.
