UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; Nov. 22, 2022 – The Penn State Nittany Lion field hockey team, fresh off an appearance in the NCAA national semifinals, received seven NFHCA Mideast All-Region selections, as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association today. The Nittany Lions have five players on the first team and two on the second team.
Captain Mackenzie Allessie has been named to the first team for the fourth straight season. She ended the 2022 campaign with 42 points off 12 goals and a team-high 18 assists. Allessie was also a first team All-Big Ten selection this year. She is a three-time All-American, third in 2019 and first in 2020 and 2021.
Senior keeper Brie Barraco was honored as a first team All-Region pick after earning second team laurels a year ago. The Nittany Lion goalie ended 2022 with 91 saves, a .791 percentage and eight shutouts. Barraco was a first team All-Big Ten selection this year and was on the 2022 All-Big Ten Tournament Team.
Big Ten Player of the Year Sophia Gladieux has been named to the first team for the third straight season. She ended the year with 49 points off a team-high 23 goals and three assists. Gladieux was also Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and a first team All-Big Ten selection this season as well as a member of the 2022 NCAA All-Tournament Team. She is a two-time All-American, first in 2021 and second in 2020.
Graduate student Anna Simon earned was named first team All-Region for the first time this year. She finished the season with 26 points off ten goals and six assists. Simon was a second team All-Big Ten selection this year and was a member of the 2022 All-Big Ten Tournament Team and 2022 NCAA All-Tournament Team.
Captain Elena Vos earned All-Region honors for the third time after being a second team selection twice (2020 and 2021). She ended the campaign with ten points off ten assists. Vos was also a first team All-Big Ten honoree this year.
Senior Jemma Punch earned her first regional honor as a second team All-Region selection this year. She ended the year with 18 points off eight goals and two assists.
Graduate student Grace Wallis also earned her first regional honor as a second team All-Region pick this season. She ended the year with eight points off two goals and four assists.
Penn State ended the season with a 17-4 overall record. The Nittany Lions were 2022 Big Ten Co-Champions as well with a 7-1 record in conference games. The Lions won their first two NCAA tournament games to advance to the NCAA semifinals for the first time since 2007.
Fans are encouraged to follow the Nittany Lion field hockey team online at www.GoPSUsports.com (click teams, click field hockey), on twitter @pennstateFH and on facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatefieldhockey.