Field Hockey | 9/3/2024 11:30:12 AM
Ten student-athletes from four different Empire 8 Institutions were named to the 2024 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Watchlist. Ella Buchanan, Emmalee Moore, Paige Thowe and Samantha Choate from SUNY Brockport. Jace Hunzinger rom Houghton University. Emma Cooper, Audrey Grieb and Mary Kate McPhee from St. John Fisher University and Mackenzie Mix and Madison Ranalli from Utica University earned the prestigious honor.
This list is intended to showcase those field hockey student-athletes with the strongest potential for consideration to the current year's NFHCA All-American teams. To be nomiated for the 2024 NFHCA Watchlist, student-athletes must have been previously recognized for their outstanding field hockey abilities within the past two year. (NFHCA All-Region, NFHCA All-American, All-Conference, Nexus Championship selection, AAU Junior Olympic Games selection, NCAA All-Tournament Team, and/or U.S. National or International Team roster) and the student-athlete's head coach must be an active NFHCA member.
Empire 8 Student-Athletes Honored
SUNY Brockport
Ella Buchanan, Sr., GK, Barnevald, NY/Holland Patent - Buchanan earned All-SUNYAC first team and NFHCA All-Region III second team accolades after finishing 9-7 with a 1.55 goals against average, .827 save percentage and three shutouts in 2023
Samantha Choate, Gr., M, Gasport, NY/Royalton Hartland - Choate, a transfer from St. John Fisher University, was a 2023 Empire 8 All-Conference second team selection. She finished out her season with 10 goals and two assists.
Emmalee Moore, Sr., F/M, Macedeon, NY/Penfield - Moore earned All-SUNYAC first team in 2023 after scoring eight goals with 10 assists. Moore also earned herself a spot on the 2023 NFHCA All-Region second team.
Paige Thowe, Sr., F, Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills - Thowe earned All-SUNYAC second team honors in 2023 for the second year in a row. She finished out her season with five goals and eight assists.
Houghton University
Jace Hunzinger, Sr., F, Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy - Hunzinger, the 2021 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, will look to earn All-E8 honors for the fourth straight season in 2024 (first team 2023; second team 2021 and 2022). She led all of Division III with 21 assists last season and is the Empire 8's all-time leader with 51 career assists. She is five points shy of 100 for her career.
St. John Fisher University
Emma Cooper, Sr., F, Eden, NY/Eden - Cooper earned All-Empire 8 first team accolades along with being named to the NFHCA All-Region second team in 2023.
Audrey Grieb, Sr., F, Webster, NY/Webster Thomas – Grieb, an All-Empire 8 selection for the second year in a row, was named to the first team in 2023. She wrapped up her season with 11 goals and 10 assists.
Mary Kate McPhee, So., M, Salem, NY/Salem Central – McPhee earned All-Empire 8 second team honors in 2023 after scoring 10 goals and 22 points. She finished up her season with five goals and 12 assists.
Utica University
Mackenzie Mix, Sr., M, Camden, NY/Camden – Mix, a three-time E8 Player to Watch, garnered All-Empire 8 second team accolades in 2023 after recording first team honors in 2022. A three-sport star, Mix was also the 2022 and 2024 Empire 8 Outdoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Year as a standout sprinter.
Madison Ranalli, Gr., D, Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse - Ranalli, a two-time All-Empire 8 selection, earned a spot on the first team in 2023. Her impressive season landed her the Empire 8 and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year. She was the national leader in defensive saves and broke the single season record for defensive saves in both Utica and Empire 8 history last season with 17.
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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