(Posted March 18, 2002)

Five Juniata College field hockey players were named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Academic Squad for their performance on the playing surface and in the classroom this past fall. Junior back/midfielder Jess Hebel (Northern Lebanon/Grantville), sophomore midfielder/back Dana Groff (Solanco/Quarryville), freshman forward/midfielder Grace McCluskey (West Perry/Elliottsburg), freshman goalkeeper Melonie Sappe' (Dallas/Shavertown) and junior forward Jamie Wallish (Northern Lebanon/Grantville) were all tabbed as members of the national academic team.

Hebel transferred to Juniata this past year from Messiah, where she spent her first two seasons on the field hockey surface with the Falcons. This year, she played and started in all 16 games for the Eagles and posted a team-best nine defensive saves from her back/midfield spot. She was named to the Commonwealth Conference first team for her performance this fall.

Groff started all 16 games for the Eagles this season. She was second on the team in defensive saves, posting seven from her midfield/back position. She also added one assist to help the Eagle offense.

McCluskey chipped in offensively this season with a goal and an assist from her forward/midfielder spot. She played in 14 games, while starting five, in this her freshman season.
Sappe' played and started in all 16 games this past fall for the blue and gold. As a freshman goalkeeper, she registered 166 saves and an .856 save percentage. She also had two shutouts and recorded a 1.70 goals-against average.
Wallish, a junior forward, played in all 16 games and started one time for Coach Caroline Gillich on College Hill last fall.

The Eagles finished the 2001 campaign with a 4-12 overall record and a 2-5 mark in Commonwealth.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.