Photo by: Jermaine Bibb | Louisville Athletics
Cardinals Celebrate 2018 Season with Annual Louisville Field Hockey Banquet
March 13, 2019 | Field Hockey
Louisville field hockey announces team awards
The University of Louisville field hockey team celebrated the 2018 season and recognized several players who earned team awards at the annual team banquet held on March 2 at the University Club.
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The Cardinals finished the 2018 season with a 13-6 overall record and ranked No. 14 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll after earning the No. 3 seed in the 2018 ACC Championship. Three players, Ayeisha McFerran, Mercedes Pastor and Taylor Stone earned NFHCA All-America honors while Alli Bitting, Bethany Russ and Carter Ayars joined them on the NFHCA All-West Region Teams.
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In addition to celebrating the individual and team achievements of the 2018 season, UofL field hockey honored seniors Maria Gomez, Ayeisha McFerran, Taylor Stone and Katie Walsh. The Louisville Field Hockey awards were selected in a vote by the coaching staff and players. The complete list is below.
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2018 Louisville Field Hockey Awards
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Cards Freshman Essence Award – Katie Schneider
Given to the first year team member who best aligns with the direction, and the championship culture of excellence of Louisville Field Hockey.
• After joining the Cardinals in August, freshman Katie Schneider made a smooth transition from high school to college, playing in 19 games with three starts. She stood fourth on the team with four goals. Â
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Most Improved Player of the Year – Meghan Schneider
Awarded to the player who worked hard every day and showed considerable improvement from the first day of preseason to the last day of competition in the 2018 season.
• In her sophomore season, Meghan Schneider developed into one of Louisville's steadiest players in the backfield. She started all 19 games and helped Louisville post a 1.27 team goals-against average and produce five shutouts on the season.
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Non-Glam Player of the Year- Alli Bitting/Elizabeth Allgeier
Nothing pretty about it, nothing to do with stats. Given to the player who hustled, chased, dived, pressured, fought, never gave up and recovered consistently.
• Sophomore Alli Bitting and redshirt freshman Elizabeth Allgeier share the award for the 2018 season.
• Bitting started every game and was an integral part of the penalty corner unit. The defender was second on the team with seven assists and garnered NFHCA All-West Region honors.
• Allgeier played in every game with seven starts as a redshirt freshman. The forward brought constant energy and determination on the field.
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Players' Player of the Year – Mercedes Pastor
Best, Most Valuable Player for Season 2018, selected solely by team vote.
• In her first season of competition at Louisville, Pastor had an immediate impact on the team. The midfielder/forward started all 19 games and stood third on the team in goals (5) and points (13). But it was her leadership on the field that made Pastor stand out as she garnered NFHCA All-America, West Region and All-ACC honors.
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Cardinal Heart & Soul Player of the Year - AnnMarie Habelow
Awarded to the athlete whose determination, attitude, hard work, consistency and reliability are the "pulse" of the program. With a relentless work ethic, an unyielding desire, and a huge heart, this leader, by example, demonstrates the tremendous difference one individual can make.
• Habelow was sidelined by injury prior to the start of the fall season, but remained supportive of her teammates and coaches off the field in practice and on game days.
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The Cardinals finished the 2018 season with a 13-6 overall record and ranked No. 14 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll after earning the No. 3 seed in the 2018 ACC Championship. Three players, Ayeisha McFerran, Mercedes Pastor and Taylor Stone earned NFHCA All-America honors while Alli Bitting, Bethany Russ and Carter Ayars joined them on the NFHCA All-West Region Teams.
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In addition to celebrating the individual and team achievements of the 2018 season, UofL field hockey honored seniors Maria Gomez, Ayeisha McFerran, Taylor Stone and Katie Walsh. The Louisville Field Hockey awards were selected in a vote by the coaching staff and players. The complete list is below.
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2018 Louisville Field Hockey Awards
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Cards Freshman Essence Award – Katie SchneiderGiven to the first year team member who best aligns with the direction, and the championship culture of excellence of Louisville Field Hockey.
• After joining the Cardinals in August, freshman Katie Schneider made a smooth transition from high school to college, playing in 19 games with three starts. She stood fourth on the team with four goals. Â
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Most Improved Player of the Year – Meghan SchneiderAwarded to the player who worked hard every day and showed considerable improvement from the first day of preseason to the last day of competition in the 2018 season.
• In her sophomore season, Meghan Schneider developed into one of Louisville's steadiest players in the backfield. She started all 19 games and helped Louisville post a 1.27 team goals-against average and produce five shutouts on the season.
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Non-Glam Player of the Year- Alli Bitting/Elizabeth AllgeierNothing pretty about it, nothing to do with stats. Given to the player who hustled, chased, dived, pressured, fought, never gave up and recovered consistently.
• Sophomore Alli Bitting and redshirt freshman Elizabeth Allgeier share the award for the 2018 season.
• Bitting started every game and was an integral part of the penalty corner unit. The defender was second on the team with seven assists and garnered NFHCA All-West Region honors.
• Allgeier played in every game with seven starts as a redshirt freshman. The forward brought constant energy and determination on the field.
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Players' Player of the Year – Mercedes PastorBest, Most Valuable Player for Season 2018, selected solely by team vote.
• In her first season of competition at Louisville, Pastor had an immediate impact on the team. The midfielder/forward started all 19 games and stood third on the team in goals (5) and points (13). But it was her leadership on the field that made Pastor stand out as she garnered NFHCA All-America, West Region and All-ACC honors.
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Cardinal Heart & Soul Player of the Year - AnnMarie HabelowAwarded to the athlete whose determination, attitude, hard work, consistency and reliability are the "pulse" of the program. With a relentless work ethic, an unyielding desire, and a huge heart, this leader, by example, demonstrates the tremendous difference one individual can make.
• Habelow was sidelined by injury prior to the start of the fall season, but remained supportive of her teammates and coaches off the field in practice and on game days.
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Players Mentioned
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