AU Field Hockey Has Five Named to NFHCA All-Region Teams

Nov. 19, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University field hockey team had five individuals named to the 2008 Longtstreth/ National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I All-Region Teams. Senior Irene Schickhardt was named to the Mid-Atlantic First Team for a third straight season, while sophomore Christine Fingerhuth earns first team accolades for the first time after being a second team honoree a year ago. Junior Anne-Meike De Wiljes earns her first all-region honor, being named to the first team and sophomores Kirstin Gebhart and Anne Van Erp were tabbed as second team selections.

Schickhardt finished her career ranked second in AU history in career points (142), third in goals (50) and assists (42). She was named an All-PL First Team selection for the third straight year and earned Offensive Player of the Year and PL Student-Athlete of the Year this season. She led the league and team in points with 45 (17 g, 11 a). Schickhardt scored a team-high eight game-winning goals.

Fingerhuth was also a first team All-PL selection this season. She ranked second on the team in points for the Eagles with 22 on 10 goals and two assists, despite missing three matches to play with her native Chile in the Junior Pan American Games. She tallied one game-winning goal.

De Wiljes played and started all 21 matches for the Eagles this year and was named the PL Defensive Player of the Year. She scored three goals and recorded 10 assists for 16 points, including a goal and team-high five assists in league play. She was credited with two defensive saves on the season and was twice named PL Defensive Player of the Week (9/15 and 10/6).

Gebhart earned her first All-PL selection this year, being named to the second team. The midfielder has scored two goals, one a game-winner and the other in conference play. She started all 21 games for the Eagles this season.

Van Erp was named to the Patriot League second team this season. The defender ranked fifth on the team in scoring with four goals and seven assists. Van Erp was named Defensive Player of the Week once this season (9/2). She was credited with one defensive save and started all 21 games.