IOWA CITY, Iowa — Three University of Iowa field hockey student athletes — Chandler Ackers, Natalie Cafone, and Melissa Progar — received Big Ten preseason honors. The announcement came today by the Big Ten Conference.
Ackers earned Big Ten preseason recognition for the second straight season. Last season, Ackers was named to NFHCA’s All-Regional second team and also received second- team All-Big Ten accolades. The senior started all 19 games last season, scoring a career-high eight goals, while recording six assists for a total of 22 points.
Cafone, who redshirted last season due to injury, is now a two-time Big Ten preseason honoree. The redshirt senior was named the NFHCA West Region Player of the Year in 2014, while also being named first-team NFHCA All-American, and garnering NFHCA West All-Region accolades. The 2014 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year ranked fourth nationally in goals per game (1.00), and led the Big Ten in points per game (2.33) in 2014. Cafone currently ranks 10th all-time in program history in career goals (48).
Progar receives Big Ten preseason honors for the first time in her career. Progar started every game a year ago and was second on the team with 10 assists. The junior recorded two or more assists in three games, including a pair of three-assist performances in victories over Saint Louis, and Ball State.
The Hawkeyes begin their regular season Aug. 27 when they travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to take on Wake Forest in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.