Field Hockey | 11/30/2023 2:30:14 PM
Graduate student Amy Stevens of Russell Sage College, senior Julie Ruzzi of Hartwick College and juniors Emma Cooper of St. John Fisher University and Jace Hunzinger of Houghton University were named to the 2023 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Region III teams.
Ruzzi and Stevens were first team All-Region picks, while Cooper and Hunzinger garnered second team honors.
All four student-athletes, who were also All-Empire 8 first team selections are eligible for All-America honors, which will be announced on Tuesday, December 12. Ruzzi earned her third All-Region accolade, while Cooper and Hunzinger are repeat selections. Stevens garnered her first All-Region honor.
Ruzzi, a native of High Falls, NY, Ruzzi, finished second in the Empire 8 in scoring with 43 points on 17 goals and nine assists in 18 games played this season. She recorded three game-winning goals and at least one point in 15 games this season to go along with four multiple-point outings. On Nov. 4, Ruzzi was named the Empire 8 Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player after leading Hartwick its second straight league championship. Ruzzi has 25 career goals, 30 assists and 80 points in 57 games
Stevens arrived at Russell Sage from Lock Haven University and led the league in scoring with 49 points on 20 goals and nine assists in 16 games. She finished sixth nationally in points per game this season (3.06 per game). Stevens, a native of Castle Creek, NY, also finished tied for sixth in Division III, averaging 1.25 goals per game. She had at least one point in 13 games, including a four-goal outburst against Elmira in Oct. 21. Stevens also added hat-tricks six days apart in September against Dean and Saint Joseph. She also led all E8 players with 11 goals and 25 points in seven league games.
Cooper enjoyed a strong season for the Cardinals, leading the team with 12 assists, good for second in the conference. She was also tied for fifth on the team with five goals and tied for second with 22 points. Cooper's five assists against Roberts Wesleyan on Sept. 30 were the highest for an Empire 8 player in a single game this season and are second all-time for a Fisher player in a single game. A native of Eden, NY, Cooper has 19 goals, 22 assists and 60 points in 57 career games for the Cardinals.
Hunzinger helped lead Houghton to an 11-6 overall record in 2023. She led the Empire 8 and all of Division III with 21 assists and 1.235 per contest. She also added nine goals for a 39-point season. In three seasons, Hunzinger has 22 goals and 51 assists for 95 points in 53 career contests. She is the Empire 8 career record holder with 51 assists and will look to add to that total next season.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished 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 E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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