Kutztown Field Hockey has a blast in win over Mercy College

KUTZTOWN, PA (November 13, 2010)— Senior Abbey Sheeler was honored with balloons of all colors and other gifts as she celebrated senior day. Sheeler read a letter that begin with laughter and ended with tears to her teammates, coaches, family, and friends just before the start of a non-conference game against Mercy College. Sheeler dried her tears and helped led Kutztown University to their 6-0 win over the Mavericks Saturday afternoon.

Kutztown University (11-8 overall) is ranked fifth in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches' Association (NFHCA) top poll. The Golden Bears are also ranked sixth in the NCAA Division II South Region poll.

Sheeler is the only senior on the KU women's field hockey team. She leads the team with 11 goals.  Sheeler has four assists and 24 points and her efforts afforded her to be selected to play in the Division II North/South Senior Game as selected by the NFHCA on December 3 in Louisville, Kentucky.

One of her goals came off a corner shot. In her career Sheeler has recorded 36 goals and 25 assists. She also ranks 26th in Division II in scoring this season (0.62 goals/game). She was an all-Pennslyvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East second team selection, and PSAC scholar athlete.

Most of the underclassmen got a taste of the sweet victory. Freshman Elly Skinner got it started for KU with back-to-back goals. These were Skinner's first goals of the season.

“I think today's win will lift up our team and pump us up for our last game,” Skinner said. “Abbey is such a team player and she gets our spirits up. We're all going to miss her, she has very good skills, she scores a lot of goals, she's aggressive, and it's going to be sad next year without her.”

Also scoring for Kutztown was freshman Kelly McCartin, assisted by freshman Brittany Krall, sophomore Brooke Mathews with help from junior Julie Rosenkaimer, and sophomore Emily Labowitz. Labowitz's goal was assisted by Krall. Freshman Allyson Moody recorded an assist off Sheeler's goal.

“One of the most important things about Abbey is that she's stayed in that left outside position and inserted a lot of balls off corners for us, and she's the reason for our success.” Kutztown head field hockey coach Betty Wesner said. “She's been the rock for us on our offensive line and it's really made a difference with helping our freshmen and sophomores come into their own.”

Sheeler has served as an ideal teammate and role model over the last four years. Her efforts and dedication to the program were applauded by everyone on University Field. Sheeler cannot be replaced and filling her void will be a hard task.

“The younger girls have a lot of enthusiasm but we have a lot of work to do,” Wesner said. “If we continue to work hard, we'll have something to look forward to in the future.”

The Golden Bears will play their final game of the regular season on Tuesday, November 16 against Mansfield at University Field, beginning at 4 p.m.