LC’s Weir, EMU’s Derstine Share Top Field Hockey Honor

LC’s Weir, EMU’s Derstine Share Top Field Hockey Honor

Hornets' Steele, Morris Earn Top Coaching, Rookie Awards

SALEM, Va. --- Lynchburg College and Eastern Mennonite University split their two meetings this season, and the sharing continued into the ODAC postseason honors as the Hornets' Allie Weir and the Royals' Alyssa Derstine were named Co-Players of the Year in All-ODAC Field Hockey voting.  Lynchburg's Enza Steele received the Coach of the Year award while fellow Hornet Kristina Morris was named the Rookie of the Year.  EMU's Kristina Landis took home the ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete award in a vote of the league's sports information directors.

Weir finished the season tops in the ODAC in points (74) and goals scored (35) for the third consecutive year.  She scored two or more goals nine times including a pair of four-goal outings and two other three-goal days.  Her 74 points mark the fourth-highest single-season total in ODAC history.  She owns the top rank with 82 points in 2007.  Depending upon the Hornets' run in the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament, the junior Richmond-native has a chance to capture the ODAC's all-time single-season and career goals scored record, as well as a new single-season points benchmark.  Weir's 100 goals and 221 points currently stand third in ODAC history.

Derstine ended her season second in the conference in points (57) and goals scored (24) while also placing tied for third in assists (9).  Her 57 points ranks fifth in ODAC history.  Derstine scored two or more goals eight times this season, also collecting three hat-tricks.  She notched three game-winning goals as well.  She currently boasts 42 goals and 19 assists for 103 points in her career. 

Steele enjoys an ODAC-record eighth field hockey top coaching honor.  The Hornets earned their third straight ODAC title this season, an league record 12th for the program.  Steele's career record currently sits at 421-179 in 29 years in Lynchburg.  LC's overall season record stands at 17-5 this year with the NCAA Tournament awaiting them this Wednesday.  It is the squads' fourth straight and ninth overall trip to the national tourney under Steele.  Lynchburg will host a first round contest with Sewanee at 3:30 p.m.

Morris adjusted well to the college game and became one of the Hornets top playmakers and defensive players.  She notched one goal and finished third on the team with nine assists this season.  She had two games with a pair of assists and enjoyed a three-game stretch with one helper each leading up to the ODAC semifinals.

Landis, a standout both on and off the field, receives her second ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete honor.  She won the award in 2007.  The senior defender maintains a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in biology with a minor in art.  She is a member of the EMU Dean's List and Honors Program, and was named to the 2007 ZAG/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad.  On the field, Landis earned her third All-ODAC First Team honor this season, spearheading a Royals' defense that allowed just 22 goals this year, tops in the ODAC.  She has scored seven goals and recorded nine assists for 23 career points.

Listed below are the 2008 ODAC Field Hockey All-Conference Teams.  For more information on ODAC Field Hockey, visit any of the member schools' websites or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Allie Weir, Lynchburg
Alyssa Derstine, Eastern Mennonite

COACH OF THE YEAR
Enza Steele, Lynchburg

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kristina Morris, Lynchburg

ODAC/FARM BUREAU SCHOLAR-ATHLETE
Kristina Landis, Eastern Mennonite

ALL-ODAC FIRST TEAM
Sallie Armstrong, Washington and Lee
Ashley Crouch, Randolph-Macon
Alyssa Derstine, Eastern Mennonite
Liz Garson, Washington and Lee
Kalah Hess, Bridgewater
Kristina Landis, Eastern Mennonite
Emily Mathews, Washington and Lee
Molly McGonegle, Sweet Briar
Signey Milks, Lynchburg
Allie Weir, Lynchburg
Jenny Weir, Lynchburg

ALL-ODAC SECOND TEAM
Becky Clark, Randolph-Macon
Julie Denlinger, Eastern Mennonite
Caitlin Gibb, Lynchburg
Emily Horner, Roanoke
Brianna Jacques, Bridgewater
Nicole Klee, Randolph-Macon
Samantha Marano, Lynchburg
Grace McGee, Washington and Lee
Kelly Menning, Virginia Wesleyan
Christina Merchant, Washington and Lee
Sarah Roth, Eastern Mennonite
Karissa Sauder, Eastern Mennonite

ALL-ODAC HONORABLE MENTION
Kristen Combs, Bridgewater
Whitney King, Virginia Wesleyan
Kristina Morris, Lynchburg
Mary McCarthy, Randolph-Macon
Becky Nolt, Eastern Mennonite
Lee Sheldon, Roanoke
Elizabeth Sullivan, Bridgewater
Blair Sutton, Sweet Briar
Mariah Vietri, Roanoke
Allie Wheeler, Randolph-Macon
Madeline Wilson, Sweet Briar
Kelli Worst, Bridgewater