Hornets Sweep State Major Awards, Put Five on NHFCA All-Region Team
FOREST, Va. --- Lynchburg College junior Shelly Milks continues to add to her mantle full of postseason awards as the two-time ODAC Player of the Year has added several other accolades this off-season. She, along with four of her teammates, were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Assocation (NFHCA) All-South Region Teams, of which Milks was named Player of the Year. Milks went on to earn All-America First Team honors from the NFHCA.
On Tuesday, VaSID (Virginia Sports Information Directors) announced the College Division All-State Field Hockey Teams. The ODAC saw 14 student-athletes and one coach recognized, a list that included Lynchburg sweeping the three major awards. Milks earned All-State Player of the Year honors, head coach Enza Steele collected All-State Coach of the Year laurels, and Katie Kline secured the All-State Rookie of the Year award.
Milks, who also earned the ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award, helped lead the Hornets to their sixth straight and ODAC-best 15th overall conference field hockey title in 2011. Milks was a key player on both ends of the field for LC. She posted 29 points on 10 goals and nine assists. Her midfield play helped jumpstart the ODAC's top offense to the tune of 113 goals and 5.4 tallies per game. In the classroom, Milks boasts a 3.95 grade point average as an Exercise Physiology major with a minor in Spanish. Also an All-American in 2010, Milks has been named to the Lynchburg Dean's List multiple times and is also a member of the All-ODAC Academic Team.
Steele won the ODAC's top coaching honor for the ninth time in her 32 seasons at Lynchburg. The 2011 Hornetsearned the sixth seed in the NCAA Division III field hockey tournament. Steele, who has now won 476 games during her tenure in Lynchburg, Va., has led LC to six straight ODAC titles, including this season's crown. Lynchburg has also enjoyed national success under Steele, as the Hornets have made it into the NCAA tournament nine times in the last 11 years.
Kline, who also won the ODAC Rookie of the Year award, finished third in the league with 31 points on 11 goals and nine assists. Her 11 goals and nine assists tied for fourth in the conference.
The VaSID All-State Teams includes players from five different ODAC schools. The first team features LC attackers Kline and Lindsay Leonard, midfielder Milks, defender Amanda Wain and goalkeeper Tiffany Frye. Bridgewater College defender Jennifer Bateman was also named to the first team.
The second team is dominated by all but three conference athletes. Eastern Mennonite University saw midfielder Adriana Santiago join attackers Nicole Bencsik and Janessa Derstine. Randolph-Macon College closed out the attackers contingent with Carrie Jacobs and Lauren Seal earning recognition. Lynchburg added midfielder Kristina Morris and defender Melanie Tenney, and soon-to-be ODAC full-time member Shenandoah University is represented by defender Amber VanHorn.
While Milks was the only ODAC player on the NFHCA All-America squad, four other Hornets joined her on the All-South Region Teams. Leonard and her league-best 31 goals and 73 points joined Milks on the first team. Frye, Morris and Wain were all tabbed to the second team.
For a look at the complete NFHCA All-Region and All-American Teams, use the links below. To see the full VaSID College Division All-State Teams, consult the list below.
For more information on ODAC field hockey, go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook by clicking HERE. You can also follow the ODAC on Twitter by clicking HERE.
2011 NFHCA All-American Teams
2011 NFHCA All-Region Teams
2011 VaSID College Division All-State Teams
Player of the Year: Shelly Milks, Lynchburg College
Rookie of the Year: Katie Kline, Lynchburg College
Coach of the Year: Enza Steele, Lynchburg College
First Team
Attack
Morgan Jones, Mary Washington
Katie Kline, Lynchburg
Lindsay Leonard, Lynchburg
Midfielder
Caitlin Cahill, Christopher Newport
Lisa Charney, Mary Washington
Shelly Milks, Lynchburg
Defender
Amy Abernathy, Mary Washington
Jennifer Bateman, Bridgewater
Brianna Milne, Christopher Newport
Amanda Wain, Lynchburg
Goalkeeper
Tiffany Frye, Lynchburg
Second Team
Attack
Nicole Bencsik, Eastern Mennonite
Janessa Derstine, Eastern Mennonite
Carrie Jacobs, Randolph-Macon
Lauren Seal, Randolph-Macon
Midfielder
Caitlin Baker, Mary Washington
Kristina Morris, Lynchburg
Adriana Santiago, Eastern Mennonite
Defender
Shelby Judkins, Christopher Newport
Melanie Tenney, Lynchburg
Amber VanHorn, Shenandoah
Goalkeeper
Jamie Dowling, Christopher Newport