Fourth-year Captain Alyssa Stock and fourth-year forward Danielle Conklin were named to the 2013 Front Rush/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) NCAA Div. III Senior Game roster.
Sixty fourth-year players from across the country will be competing in the game. This is the first year players from SUNY New Paltz will be participating in the event.
Stock, a three-time First Team All-SUNYAC member and two-time SUNYAC All-Tournament Team member said she received text messages that said “congratulations,” but she didn’t know why.
“I was very surprised,” Stock said. “I got a lot of text messages saying ‘congratulations,’ and I was like ‘What? I didn’t do anything.’ Then I saw I made the senior game. It’s very flattering.”
Head Coach Shanna Vitale said Stock’s leadership, both on and off the field elevated the play of the team this season.
“She’s the quarterback of our team and she’s also a phenomenal leader,” Vitale said. “The girls all look up to her. Her presence on the field is always known, whether from what she’s bringing to the field, or if she’s really vocal and assertive with the girls. They all respect her.”
Stock finished the season with three goals, nine assists and 15 points. Her 18 career assists ranks third in program history. She has started every game she’s played since her first year.
Conklin, a two-time First Team All-SUNYAC member, said she originally received an email telling her she was an alternate, then she received another a few days later telling her she made the game. She’s excited to be playing in the game and said it’s cool that it’s at the same location as the national semifinals and finals.
Vitale said Conklin is a dominant player when she has the ball in her possession and puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.
“Danielle is just a very smooth player,” Vitale said. “She’s poised with the ball and she’s able to create a lot of scoring opportunities.”
Conklin finished her career as the program’s all-time leader in goals (35), assists (25) and points (95). She led the SUNYAC this season in these categories.
Vitale said both players earned this recognition and will represent the school in a good manner.
“They had a great season this year,” Vitale said. “Danielle led the team in goals and Stock is just a playmaker.”
Stock said her first thought was how surprised she was Conklin wasn’t picked to the team initially, but she’s happy she now gets to experience the game with her.
“She’s had an amazing year this year,” Stock said. “I’m very happy that we’ll be playing together.”
Conklin said she’s glad she gets to experience this moment with one of her teammates.
“It will make it so much more memorable, having someone to relate with,” Conklin said. “She’s an awesome player.”
In addition to playing in the 2013 NCAA Div. III Senior Game, both players were named to the 2013 Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) NCAA Div. III All-North Atlantic Region First Team.
Both players said they are happy they were named to the senior game because it gives them one more opportunity to play a game of college field hockey.
Vitale said she is going to miss what Conklin and Stock brought to the team.
“I’m going to miss Stock’s leadership her ability to raise the bar at practice and in the game,” Vitale said. “Danielle, she’s able to score. Who’s not going to miss that, someone who can score? They’re just good team players.”
The game will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in Virginia Beach, V.A.