McConnell, Pistaccio named NFHCA Division II National Players of the Week

Sep 13, 2023 | 2023-2024, Division II, News

MANAHAWKIN, NJ  — Senior goalkeeper from No. 4 Saint Anselm College, Mackenzie McConnell, and Junior attacker from Converse University, Catalina Pistaccio, have been named this week’s NFHCA Division II Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week, respectively.

Senior attacker from No. 1 East Stroudsburg University, Madison Kline, also received an honorable mention nod for Division II Offensive Player of the Week as well.

NFHCA Division II Defensive Player of the Week

 

Mackenzie McConnell, No. 4 Saint Anselm College, Sr., Goalkeeper (Concord Twp., Maine)

  • Recorded a season-high 18 saves, holding No. 2 Shippensburg to just one goal as the team earned a 2-1 double-overtime victory on Saturday.

NFHCA Division II Offensive Player of the Week

 

Catalina Pistaccio, Converse University, Jr., Forward (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

  • Pistaccio recorded four goals, including the game winner and a penalty stroke, to help the Valkyries defeat Mercyhurst 4-2 on Saturday.
  • She then provided an assist on the game-winning goal against Slippery Rock with two minutes remaining to help the team go 2-0 on the weekend in Pennsylvania.

NFHCA Division II Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention

 

Madison Kline, No. 1 East Stroudsburg University, Sr., Forward (Oley, Pennsylvania)

  • In a 3-0 week for the top-ranked ESU field hockey team, Kline paced the Warriors offensively with seven points on three goals and an assist.
  • She scored a goal in the 8-1 victory over Adelphi and returned on Friday with an assist in the 3-0 win over New Haven.
  • The Oley, Pa. native closed out the weekend with a pair of goals against Bentley in a 6-0 Warriors’ victory.
  • Kline is currently tied with teammate Hanna Lewis for the team lead in goals (five) and deadlocked with six other players in the PSAC for the conference lead.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the organization is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to cultivate and recognize the professional contributions of its membership and to foster and promote the growth of the sport. The NFHCA is responsible for providing a recognizable presence and voice in regard to legislation affecting the sport as well as interscholastic and intercollegiate programs.