PROVIDENCE, RI (August 1) –Lauren Henderson (Avondale Harare,
Zimbabwe) of the University of Connecticut field hockey team was a unanimous
selection to the 2002 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team as picked by the leagues
coaches. Henderson, a sophomore, was youngest player to be named to the
preseason team, which featured eight seniors and two juniors. Also in the league
voting, Connecticut was selected to finish second in the 2002 BIG EAST Preseason
Poll.
Henderson led the BIG EAST in goals and points all season and
was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team, and to the STX/NFHCA Division I
Regional All-American Team. She also led the Huskies with 15 goals and eight
assists for 38 points while starting all 17 games.
The defending BIG EAST Champion, Syracuse, received five
first-place votes and placed four athletes on the preseason team. Boston College
collected the only other first-place vote, but was selected to finish fourth
behind Connecticut and Villanova, respectively. Rutgers and Providence rounded
out the 2002 poll.
Syracuse’s Kristin Aronowicz was named 2002 BIG EAST
Offensive Player of the Year, while teammate Becky Kohler was selected as the
Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2001 edition of the field hockey team finished with an
8-9 overall mark. Three Huskies received BIG EAST and STX/NFHCA Division I
Regional All-American Team honors for their efforts during the season, including
Henderson, Megan Ware (Latham, NY) and Kelly Stolle (Warren, CT).
The Huskies open the 2002 season with the Husky Classic.
UConn will face Hofstra on August 31 at 11:30 am at the Sherman Sports Complex.
BIG EAST PRESEASON AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year
Kristin Aronowicz, Sr., Syracuse
Defensive Player of the Year
Becky Kohler, Sr., Syracuse
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Kristin Aronowicz, Sr., M, Syracuse
Virginia Drozd, Sr., M/B, Boston College
*Kim French, Sr., F, Boston College
Leann Grondski, Jr., M, Rutgers
Meghan Helwig, Sr. G, Villanova
*Lauren Henderson, So., F, Connecticut
Becky Kohler, Sr., F/B, Syracuse
Audry Latsko, Sr., G, Syracuse
*Christina Lugones, Jr., F, Villanova
*Kara Lukens, Sr., M/B, Providence
*Michelle Marks, Sr., F/M, Syracuse
*unanimous selection
2002 Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. Syracuse 25
2. Connecticut 21
3. Villanova 16
4. Boston College 15
5. Rutgers 8
6. Providence 6
