Nov. 6, 2008

Center Valley, Pa. - On Thursday night at the Patriot League Field Hockey Championship Banquet the 2008 Patriot League Major Award Winners were announced. American senior Irene Schickhardt was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, while Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honors went to American junior Anne-Meike De Wiljes. The Patriot League Goalkeeper award went to Holy Cross' Erin Singleton for the second consecutive year. American's Tatum Dyer won Patriot League Rookie of the Year. Rounding out the voting was American's Steve Jennings, who brought home the Patriot League Coach of the Year plaque.

Schickhardt has consistently contributed offensively, despite a rigorous schedule and an injury earlier in the season. She leads the Patriot League in points (36), points per game (2.12), and goals per game (0.82). She is tied for the League lead in goals with 14, including seven game-winners. She ranks seventh in assists with six on the season. Nationally, she ranks in the top 20 in goals and goals per game. She is in the Patriot League's all-time top 10 in goals, assists and points. Shickhardt was also named Patriot League Field Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the year. More information on the Scholar-Athlete Award will be available soon.

De Wiljes has started every game this season, earning Patriot League Defensive player of the week honors twice. She is part of a defense that is ranked 1st in the Patriot League for shutouts and goals allowed. This defense has only allowed one goal in Patriot League play thus far. Within league play she ranks 1st in assists and assists per game. She has helped out on the attacking side of play too. Currently she has two goals and seven assists.

Singleton earned Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year honors for the second straight year after leading the Patriot League in saves and save percentage. She ranks third nationally with 8.50 saves per game and 12th in the country with a .773 save percentage.

Dyer made an immediate and powerful impact on her team in her first year. She has been a full-time starter for the entire year, and has played in all but 10 minutes this season. She earned Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors a League-high five times. She is a key factor in her team's defense that has given up just one goal in League play and has recorded seven shutouts.

Jennings was named Patriot League Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive year and the fifth time in his career after leading his team to its sixth consecutive undefeated record in Patriot League play. His team is currently ranked 19th in the STX/NFHCA National Coaches Poll. His unit also ranks in the top 25 in scoring average, goals against average, scoring margin, and shutouts per game.

The Patriot League Tournament will commence Friday with two semifinal games. Top-seeded American will battle fourth-seeded Colgate at 11 a.m. Second-seeded Lafayette and third-seeded Bucknell will square off at 1:30 p.m.