W&J's Buyan, Fisher's Fazio Earn NFHCA All-American Honors
NFHCA RELEASE
Accolades Continue to Pile Up for E8 Player of the Year Buyan
Washington & Jefferson's Rachle Buyan and St. John Fisher's Lauren Fazio were recently named All-Americans by the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association (NFHCA). Buyan, the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year was named a Second Team selection, while Fazio was recognzed as a Third Team Honoree.
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Buyan, the E8 Player of the Year and four-time All-conference honoree during her illustrious career capped her W&J legacy with an outstanding 2018 campaign. The midfielder led the Presidents with 36 points and a career-high tying 16 goals, both of which ranked fourth in the conference. Buyan moved into second place on the program's all-time leading goal scorers with 49 in her career. She also ranks third on W&J's all-time points leaderboard (117) and is tied for fifth in career assists (19).
Buyan helped lead the Presidents to one of its most successful seasons this fall as W&J ended 2018 with a program-record 18 victories, including its first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament. A win over Rhodes in the First Round. W&J also won its second consecutive E8 Championship this fall, and the third in the program's history.
Fazio, who is just the second All-American in St. John Fisher's eight-year history joining two-time All-American Emily Markarian, had an outstanding season as she led the E8 with 57 points and 23 goals. She also posted a conference-leading .761 shots on goal percentage and was among the team's leaders in shots with 57.
Fazio, who was named First-Team All-Region and First-Team All-Conference this season, cemented herself in program lore as her 23 goals in 2018 are tied for the most goals in a single season, while her 11 assists ranks second all-time for helpers in a single season.
About the Empire 8 Conference
The members of the Empire 8 are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and aspire to be regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership seeks to distinguish itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the Empire 8.