Student-Athletes Sweep Field Hockey Awards
At the South Atlantic Conference, Converse University student-athletes swept the Big Four awards (Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year).
Sophomore midfielder Mira Poelzer ’24 (Business Administration, Nisbet Honors) took home First Team All-Conference honors and Offensive Player of the Year honors this season. Poelzer leads the conference in total assists (17) and leads the nation in assists per game (1.00). The native of Germany finished second in the conference in total points (29) and third in shots on goal (51). For Poelzer, this is her first time being named Offensive Player of the Year and her second time being named to the First Team All-Conference team.
Graduate student and goalkeeper Ciriaca Petitto (MiM Professional Leadership) brought home Defensive Player of the Year honors home to the Hub City after she was a three-time Player of the Week award winner this past season. Petitto led the league in goals against and goals against average. For Petitto this was her first major award and the first time she was named to the First Team All-Conference list.
Freshman forward Lotte Kanters ’25 emerged onto the scene this season for the Valkyries. Kanters was named Freshman of the Year after she led the Valkyries in goals scored (8), game-winning goals (4) and finished second on the team in total points (19). Earlier this season, Kanters earned Offensive Player of the Week honors. For Kanters, this is her first major award and the first all-conference nod of her career.
Catalina Pistaccio ’25 was the fourth and final First Team All-Conference selection for the Valkyries this season. The freshman forward started every game for the purple and gold and finished second on the team in goals scored (7). The native of Argentina finished third on the team in total points (16) and her season was highlighted by a hat-trick against Sewanee.
Bo Linders ’22 (Business Administration, German Studies) anchored the Valkyries back line this season as she earned her second all-conference honor of her career. Linders finished tied for second on the team with five assists this season. The senior also took 11 total shots, six shots on goal and she led the team with two defensive saves.
Photo by John Byrum