Nov. 1, 2007
IOWA CITY – The Big Ten honored six University of Iowa field hockey players Thursday. Juniors Lauren Pfeiffer, Roz Ellis and Caroline Blaum and sophomore Meghan Beamesderfer were first team all-Big Ten selections. Senior Kadi Sickel was a second team all-Big Ten pick while junior Lissa Munley is Iowa’s sportsmanship nominee.
Four first team selections are the most the Hawkeyes have had in 11 years. In 1996, the Hawkeyes had five players on the first team. Iowa’s four first team selections is the most of any school in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are followed by Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State each having two selections apiece.
This is the first time Pfeiffer has been an all-Big Ten selection. There has been no drop in her production since last season at the Big Ten Tournament where she was selected Most Valuable Player. With all games included, Pfeiffer leads the conference in shots (85), points (32), goals (13) and is second in game-winning goals (4). When counting only conference games, she leads the conference in shots (31), points (13), goals (6) and game-winning goals (2). In addition to her scoring, Pfeiffer is a main contributor for the Hawkeye defense.
Ellis earns her first all-Big Ten selection after having a breakout season. Primarily a defender, she has recorded a career high in goals (7) and assists (3). Her seven goals have come from 22 shots, giving her a shooting percentage of .318. Prior to this season, Ellis had a total of two goals and an assist.
After taking a year off due to injury, Blaum has come back better than ever. This is her second all-Big Ten selection, as she was a 2005 second team honoree. Blaum leads the team in assists (9), while scoring four goals.
Beamesderfer has made huge strides since being named 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. As an outstanding defender, she has helped the Hawkeyes to five shutouts and nine other teams to only one goal. Beamesderfer has recorded one goal on one shot this season.
Sickel earns her second, second team all-Big Ten honor. She has been a great defender throughout her career. This season she has made many crucial defensive stops along with recording two game-winning goals.
Munley is Iowa’s sportsmanship nominee. Along with showing great sportsmanship, Munley has recorded four shutouts and played 61 minutes of a fifth shutout. She has stopped 47 shots, while allowing only 20 goals.
The Hawkeyes will play Michigan State on Friday at 1 p.m. (CT) at the Big Ten Tournament held Columbus, OH. The game will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
2007 All-Big Ten Teams*First TeamMeredith Brown, Sr., midfield, INDHaley Exner, Sr., goalkeeper, INDMeghan Beamesderfer, So., defense, IOWACaroline Blaum, Jr., forward, IOWARoz Ellis, Jr., defense, IOWALauren Pfeiffer, Jr., midfield, IOWALUCIA BELASSI, Sr., MICHPaige Laytos, So., forward, MICHJEAMIE DEACON, So., midfield, MSUAmanda Care, Sr., defense, NULinda Haussener, Jr., midfield, OSUYESENIA LUCES, Sr., midfield, OSUJen Long, Jr., defense, PSUKiersten Wood, Sr., midfield, PSU
#Second TeamKadi Sickel, Sr., defense, IOWAPaige Pickett, So., goalkeeper, MICHJillianne Whitfield, Sr., defense, MICHFlorentine Rijpma, So., midfield, MSUAmy Schneider, Sr., defense, MSUAlex Quinn, Jr., forward, NUMichaela O'Malley, Sr., forward, OSUShaun Banta, Sr., forward, PSUAllison Scola, Jr., midfield, PSU
* Additional honorees due to ties# Fewer honorees due to additions on first teamUnanimous selections in ALL CAPS
OFFENSIVE CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Lucia Belassi, MICH and Yesenia Luces, OSUDEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jen Long, PSUFRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Jantine Steinmetz, MSUCOACH OF THE YEAR: Nancy Cox, MICH
Sportsmanship Award HonoreesMargie Stoll, Sr., INDLissa Munley, Jr., IOWALucia Belassi, Sr., MICHRebecca Manning, Sr., MSUKatie Charles, Sr., NUYesenia Luces, Sr., OSUMallory Weissen, Sr., PSU="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>
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