Nov. 5, 2009

GALLERY

MUNCIE, Ind. - The good news keeps on coming for Ohio Field Hockey, as the Bobcats collected eight awards at the Mid-American Conference Field Hockey Banquet. Headlining the evening were the two specialty awards (of three possible) won by the Bobcats as Neil Macmillan was named the 2009 Coach of the Year and Andrea Biegalski was named 2009 Freshman of the Year.

A native of Portsmouth, England, Neil Macmillan is in his fifth season as the head coach of Ohio. He has done an impressive job of bringing an already well-regarded program to new heights, leading the Bobcats to conference championships in 2006 and 2007 as well as two appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Under Macmillan, Ohio has garnered 11 All-MAC First Team selections, 12 All-MAC Second Team selections (2009 included) and a MAC Player of the Year in 2005 and 2007. He has led the team to a 10-8 record in 2009 with an 8-2 conference mark. In his time with the Bobcats, Neil has accumulated a record of 60-46.

"I would like to consider this the coaching staff of the year award," said head coach Neil Macmillan. "I certainly wouldn't be in this position without Ali (Johnstone) and Kelly (Terwilliger) and also the assistance of Estienne, Rachelle and Nikki. All five of them have been extremely helpful this year."

A freshman from Collegeville, Pa., Andrea has had a terrific year for Ohio, starting 17 of the team's 18 games. She has shown a tremendous amount of poise and composure on the field while playing in the vital central midfield position for the Bobcats. The fact that she has excelled in such a key position as a young player exemplifies her ability, awareness and knowledge of the game. She has been an important part of a team that leads the league in shutouts (4) and goals against average (0.97 in conference games). She makes those around her even better and the program is very excited to see how she will perform throughout the rest of her Bobcat career.

"Andrea has played a central midfield role for us all year and has really proved to be a huge part of this team," said Macmillan. "Stepping up as a freshman and playing in that role is just fantastic. This speaks wonders for her not only this year but for future years as well."

The `Cats also added two players to the All-Conference First Team and four players to the All-Conference Second Team. Seniors and Ephrata, Pa., natives, Marcy Dull and Katelyn Shelley both made it on the first team for the 2009 season. In the regular season, Dull and Shelley were first and second on the team in points with 23 and 22, respectively. Dull scored 10 goals (five of which were game-winners) and tallied three assists on the season. Shelley scored four times and assisted on an impressive 14 goals, which ties her for most all-time assists in one season in program history. She now finds herself in the Bobcat record books amongst program legends Torrie Albini (2007), Lauren Mazziotto (2001) and assistant coach Ali Johnstone (2000).

"I am so excited for all of our team," said Macmillan. "It was a great recognition that they received today. I'm especially happy for Katelyn (Shelley) and Marcy (Dull)...I think they were very deserved selections for First Team All-Conference. It really rewards them for four years of excellence with the Ohio Field Hockey team."

Ohio collected a whopping four spots on the All-Conference Second Team, with Biegalski, Katherine Ballard (Charlottesville, Va.), Nina Bruno (Bethesda, Md.) and Courtney Seiders (Mt. Joy, Pa.) earning the honors.

Ballard was an integral part of the offense for much of the year, really catching her stride in the middle of the season and powering the Bobcats to crucial mid-season conference victories. She scored eight goals (four of which were game-winners) and accumulated 17 points on the year, smashing her previous season-highs. At one point during the season (the weekend of October 3 and 4), Ballard scored all three of the Bobcats' weekend goals in conference games against Central Michigan and Kent State. She started all 18 regular-season games for the Green and White, firing 61 total shots.

Bruno was the quarterback of a defense that led the Mid-American Conference in goals allowed per game (1.64) and shutouts (6). She made countless important defensive tackles for the team, often times not even allowing the opposition to put shots on goal. Bruno exhibited the senior leadership in the backfield that is required for a successful stretch run like the one put together by this team, and made everyone around her a better player.

Seiders turned in an outstanding year for the Bobcats, finishing the regular season with a 7-5 record, a 1.93 goals against average and four shutouts. She made 67 saves while only allowing 19 goals, really stepping up and excelling in the role as the last line of defense for Ohio. She made big saves when called upon to do so and at crucial times in the season kept the team in games and allowed them the opportunity to win.

"I'm also extremely excited for the four of our players who were on the second team," said Macmillan. "I think it is great recognition of the job that they've been doing for us this season and they're really a huge part of what we do on the field. They are very deserving of these awards."

The Bobcats will play their first Mid-American Conference Tournament match against Central Michigan on Friday at noon.