CHANDLER, AZ – Monmouth University field hockey seniors Casey Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) and Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) have been selected to participate in the 2016 Victory Sports Tours/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I Senior Game, which will be held at November 19th at 2:30 p.m. at Old Dominion University.
The duo helped the Hawks claim their third-straight MAAC Regular Season Championship join Michelle Pieczynski (2012) as the only Monmouth representatives to compete at the annual event.
“I am so excited for Casey and Alyssa to have been selected to the Senior Game,” said head coach Carli Figlio. “When you look up and down the lists of participants, there are some of the best field hockey players in the country so to have two representatives from our program is a true testament to their skill, ability and work ethic.”
Hanna has started all 17 games on the backline for the Hawks in 2016. The two-time All-MAAC First Team honoree has helped the Monmouth defense succeed all season as the Hawks enter the postseason ranked in the top-10 nationally in four defensive categories. The two-time MAAC Defender of the Year has also got into the offensive mix, registering 11 points on three goals and five assists. A two-time NFHCA All-Mid Atlantic Team recipient, Hanna has started all but two of her 75 career games and compiled 25 career points on eight goals and nine helpers, while recording 12 defensive saves.
“It is a great honor for Casey to be selected,” commented head coach Carli Figlio. “She has been the backbone of our defense the last three years and is well deserving of this selection.”
Ercolino, who was selected as an alternate in the midfield, has also started all 17 games this season. The redshirt-senior has 12 goals on the season, including a team-high four game-winning tallies, while dishing out 10 assists, good for 34 points, which all stand as career-bests. The two-year all-league player has started all 75 games of her career and ranks second in assists (28) and sixth all-time in points (76) and goals (24).
“Alyssa being recognized as an alternate is also tremendous,” added Figlio. “I think in the midfield, there is a ton of talent and for her included is evidence of her hard work.”
Monmouth, the top-seed in the MAAC Championships will take on fourth-seeded Rider in the semifinals on So Sweet A Cat Field on Friday, November 4th at 2 p.m.
-@MonmouthFH-
