MAC Defensive Player of the Week
Leonor Berlie, Miami University
Midfielder, Senior, Geneva, Switzerland (College de Candolle)
Berlie’s play in the midfield was crucial to the two wins for Miami on the weekend as she helped the RedHawks hold App State without a penalty corner on the weekend. In addition, Berlie and the RedHawks conceded only seven shots across the two games combined, with only five on cage. Her ability to tackle back and intercept balls allowed Miami the opportunity to put pressure on App State throughout the game. At the other end of the field, the Geneva, Switzerland native helped Miami post 44 shots (31 on cage) and earn 23 corners. In addition, Berlie had a goal and an assist in each game.
MAC Offensive Player of the Week
Sydney Washburn, Kent State University
Forward, Sophomore, Apalachin, N.Y. (Vestal)
Sophomore forward Sydney Washburn had an extremely efficient weekend helping Kent State secure their second weekend sweep in a row. In game one against Ohio this past weekend, Washburn tallied an assist for the go-ahead goal and then scored an insurance goal for the Flashes to go up 3-1. Her goal ended up being a crucial one and would become the game winner as Ohio scored late in the third quarter to make it 3-2. In the second game, Washburn got Kent State on the board just 3 minutes and 54 seconds into the contest, a game in which the Flashes led wire to wire. Washburn’s attack was critical to both the Flashes 3-2 and 3-1 victories.
Other Nominees
Michaela Graney, Ball State
Defender, Freshman, Cape Town, South Africa
Michaela was a huge part of the stingy defensive effort that stalled out CMU’s offense. The Chips were held to just four shots on goal over the weekend and two corners. Michaela commanded a backfield that maintained possession and broke down some quick CMU counterattacks. Ball State earned the shutout largely due to her efforts on Sunday.
Katie Maxim, Central Michigan
Goalkeeper, Freshman, St. Louis, Mo. (St. Joseph's Academy)
Freshman goalkeeper Katie Maxim played 115-plus minutes of shutout field hockey in net for the Chippewas, helping them to a series split with Ball State. On Saturday, Maxim recorded her first career shutout, making four saves in leading CMU to a 1-0 victory. On Sunday, Maxim held the Cardinals off the scoreboard before surrendering the game-winning goal in the 56th minute, totaling seven saves. Maxim was then pulled from the game and Ball State added a late goal.
Kolbey Donahue, Longwood
Defender, Junior, Chesapeake, Va. / Great Bridge
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Kolbey Donahue once again anchored the Longwood backline, logging 60 minutes in an 8-1 victory over Bellarmine. Donahue and the Lancers allowed just three total shots, and conceded just one penalty corner. Donahue also got involved in the attack, particularly on penalty corners. The junior tallied three goals, all on penalty corner shots, to record her first career hat trick in the dominate victory.
Azure Fernsler, Kent State University
Goalkeeper, Senior, Sinking Spring, PA. (Wilson)
Senior goalkeeper Azure Fernsler played an integral role in Kent State’s victories over Ohio this past weekend. The Flashes fell behind 1-0 in the first game and if it weren’t for Fernsler making some incredible saves they could have fallen behind more. Ultimately, Fernsler’s presence in net allowed for the Flashes to regroup at halftime and race off to a 3-1 lead in the third quarter before finally winning 3-2. In game two, she continued her dominance saving seven of the eight shots she faced and leading the Flashes to a 3-1 victory. On the weekend, Fernsler faced 17 total shots, only allowed three goals, and secured two more victories for the Flashes.
Offensive Player of the Week
Maureen Donegan, Ball State
Forward, Freshman, NEW CITY, N.J. CLARKSTOWN NORTH
The freshman attacker created countless attacking opportunities for the Cardinals both in buildup and on the finishing end. Maureen tabbed 5 shots on the weekend, including the go-ahead goal in the Cardinals victory against CMU on Sunday. This brings her goal total to 3 on the season, tied for second on the Ball State squad, including 1 game winner. Maureen’s effort helped Ball State reach the milestone of highest win total since 2016, and second highest since 2011.
Jillian Shive, Ohio
Midfielder, Senior, Lebanon, Ohio / Ursuline Academy
Senior Jillian Shive led Ohio this past weekend against Kent State. Shive scored one goal and had one assist for a .167 shot percentage and five shots on goal for a .833 shots on goal percentage. Shive scored her goal on Sunday in the 32nd minute. Shive's assist game on Friday in the 18th minute in the first goal of the game.
Karly Harwood, Longwood
Forward, Senior, Gloucester, Va. / Gloucester
Karly Harwood recorded her first career hat trick on Saturday, closing out Longwood's home season with an 8-1 win over Bellarmine. Harwood struck twice in the first two minutes alone, surging the Lancers to a 2-0 lead. She completed her hat trick in just 21:47 of play, adding her third goal in the second quarter in the blow out win. Harwood has five goals this season, the most on the team.
Claudia Negrete Garcia, Miami
Midfield, Freshman, Santander, Spain (Torrevelo-Penalabra)
Negrete Garcia notched six points on the weekend to lead the RedHawks in scoring as Miami beat App State twice. She drew three corners and added an insurance goal in the first game before notching the game-winning goal and two assists in the second game of the weekend.
