Utica Field Hockey Sweeps Empire 8 Weekly Awards
Utica, NY (11/6/12)- Sophomore Alaina Stojkovski and freshman Kells Casey were recently named Empire 8 Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
Stojkovski had five points during the Empire 8 Tournament last weekend on her way to being named tournament MVP. On Saturday she had a goal and two assists in the Pioneers' 3-1 win over St. John Fisher. She followed that up with an assist in Sunday's Championship as Utica defeated the #1 seed, Stevens Institute of Technology, 4-3. On the season, Stojkovski has seven goals and leads the conference with 15 assists. She also ranks tenth nationally with .83 assists per game.
Casey had ten saves while helping Utica go 2-0 this past weekend and capture its first ever Empire 8 Conference Championship. On Saturday, she gave up just one goal as UC topped St. John Fisher 3-1 in the semifinal game. She followed that up on Sunday, allowing two goals and making eight saves as Utica defeated #1 seed, Stevens Institute of Technology for the E8 Championship. Casey leads the league with a .805 save percentage and 1.51 goals against average. She also ranks 14th nationally with a .817 saver percentage.
The Pioneers earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament after defeating Stevens Institute of Technology 4-3 to capture the first Empire 8 Championship in program history. They host Endicott College, Wednesday in the first round of the tournament. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.