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10 Herons named to NFHCA All-Academic squad
April 19, 2006
GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College field hockey team recently earned the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Team Award and placed 10 student-athletes on the 2005 NFHCA Division III All-Academic Squad.
The National Academic Team Award is presented to programs that attain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the 2005 fall academic semester. William Smith was one of 73 programs to receive the honor. To earn a place on the NFHCA National Academic Team, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative 3.3 grade point average or higher.
Seniors Melissa Fitch (Oyster River/Durham, N.H.) and Lauren Fuller (Shaker/Loudonville, N.Y.) are representing the Herons for the third time on the All-Academic Squad, while junior Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) is making her second appearance. Junior Liz Saucier (Old Town/Old Town, Maine), and first-years Katie DeKraker (Staples/Westport, Conn.), Leila Higgins (Groton School/Peapack, N.J.), Katie Klutts (Harpursville/Harpursville, N.Y.), Katie Mancuso (Harpursville/Port Crane, N.Y.), Charlotte Styer (Governor Mifflin/Mohnton, Pa.), and Kristin Yerkie (Vernon-Verona-Sherrill/Vernon, N.Y.) garnered All-Academic accolades for the first time.
Under the watchful eye of New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year Sally Scatton, William Smith posted a 17-4 overall record, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the Liberty League. The Herons captured the conference crown for the second consecutive season and the seventh time since the league was founded in 1995. Ranked 11th in the final national poll, William Smith edged Montclair State 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to No. 3 Messiah 3-1.