The Big Ten announced the all-conference performers and individual award winners for field hockey today and here are the highlights:
Maryland field hockey took home three of the Big Ten's highest honors on Wednesday, with Sarah Sprink winning Big Ten Player of the Year, Linnea Gonzales winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Missy Meharg winning Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Sarah Sprink
Sprink earned Player of the Year accolades after leading the Terrapins to their second straight Big Ten Championship. She anchors a backline that has only allowed 23 goals on the season. Offensively, she has scored nine goals and added six assists. Sprink's award marks the second straight time a Terrapin has been named Big Ten Player of the Year after Maxine Fluharty earned the distinction in Maryland's inaugural 2014 season.
Linnea Gonzales
Gonzales earned Freshman of the Year honors after scoring 10 goals and registering three assists. She has scored a total of 23 points, which ranks fourth on Maryland's roster.
Missy Meharg
Meharg led Maryland to its second Big Ten Championship in as many seasons and also claimed Coach of the Year honors for the second straight season. The Terrapins compiled a 16-3 overall record and an 8-0 mark in conference play. Meharg helped the Terrapins claim the top seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
All-Conference Performers
Seniors Sarah Sprink and Anna Dessoye were both unanimous All-Big Ten first team selections. Senior Welma Luus and Gonzales were both named to the All-Big Ten second team.
Shari Jones was a sportsmanship award honoree.