2011 OUA women's field hockey major awards and all-stars announced

Source: OUA Communications / Photo credit Guelph Athletics

HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is pleased to announce the 2011 major award winners and All-Stars in women's field hockey, sponsored by Harrow Sports.

For the third year in a row, the OUA Player of the Year award goes to a member of the Guelph Gryphons. This year's recipient is Brittany Seidler (Oliver, B.C.) after netting 26 goals, nearly double the next highest output. Seidler helped lead the Gryphons to an 11-1 record, including a victory over reigning CIS champion Toronto and Guelph will enter this weekend's OUA championship as the second ranked team. Seidler has also been named to the All-Star team for her performance this season. Joining her on the All-Star squad is teammate Kaye McLagan (Mitchell, Ont.). McLagan is the only goalkeeper named to the All-Star after backstopping the Gryphons to their second place finish this season.

Toronto's Amanda Woodcroft (Waterloo, Ont.) claims the 2011 Rookie of the Year award. The freshman scored seven goals to help lead the Varsity Blues back to the top spot in OUA league play. Toronto leads all schools with four All-Stars, as Hannah Tighe (Penticton, B.C.), Kaelan Watson (Richmond, B.C.), and Ally Evanyshyn (Burlington, Ont.) have also been named to this year's squad. Fifth year Tighe was a steady force at the midfield position, helping shut down opposition attacks as well as contributing up front with five goals. Watson was the highest touted defender in the league this season and led the Blues' defence in allowing just three goals against all season. Second year Evanyshyn finished second in league scoring with 14 goals.

This year's Gail Wilson award for outstanding contribution to the community and sport of field hockey goes to McGill's Rachel Berta (St. Marys, Ont.). The third year player spent countless hours in the community helping young players develop and find passion for field hockey. Teammate Camille St-Cyr (Richmond, B.C.) has been named to the All-Star team for her demeanour at midfield for the fourth consecutive season.

The Waterloo Warriors have two representatives on this year's All-Star team. Forward Courtney Bisch (Wellesley, Ont.) and defender Winnie Huynh (Mississauga, Ont.) have both been recognized for their play this season. These third year players led the Warriors to a 6-6 finish, good for third overall. Huynh provided steady play in the backfield while Bisch finished in a tie for fifth in goals scored with six and was a catalyst for the Warrior offence.

Midfield Lauren Mackenzie (Burlington, Ont.) is the lone representative for the Western Mustangs on the All-Star team. The second year player contributed to holding down the defence and securing the Mustangs a place in the postseason. Western enters championship weekend as the number five team in the OUA.

Rounding out this year's All-Stars is York's Adriana Fernandes (Mississauga, Ont.). The fourth year defender was the Lions' leader and this is her first time being recognized as an All-Star.

In his sixth year at the helm of the Toronto Varsity Blues, head coach John DeSouza has been named this year's OUA Coach of the Year. DeSouza has accumulated an overall record of 89-18-10 and led the Blues to the CIS title a year ago. The Blues are poised to return to the championships as they enter the OUA championships as the top team with an 11-1 regular season record.

OUA MAJOR AWARD WINNERS AND ALL-STARS

Player of the Year – Brittany Seidler (Guelph)
Rookie of the Year – Amanda Woodcroft (Toronto)
OUA Gail Wilson Award – Rachel Berta (McGill)
Coach of the Year – John DeSouza (Toronto)

ALL-STARS

Brittany Seidler (Guelph)
Camille St-Cyr (McGill)
Hannah Tighe (Toronto)
Kaelan Watson (Toronto)
Courtney Bisch (Waterloo)
Amanda Woodcroft (Toronto)
Lauren Mackenzie (Western)
Adriana Fernandes (York)
Ally Evanyshyn (Toronto)
Winnie Huynh (Waterloo)
Kaye McLagan (Guelph)

-OUA-