Springfield, Ohio — Wittenberg University field hockey standout Boo Vernon, class of 2011 from Lake Bluff, Ill., has earned third-team All-America honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
The honor is a fitting way for Vernon to end her illustrious collegiate career. She capped her final season in the Red & White with a fourth straight first-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) award, fourth straight first-team All-Great Lakes Region award and third straight third-team All-America award.
Vernon led the Tigers and ranked among the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and NCAA Division III leaders in scoring with 58 total points (26 goals and six assists). Along the way, she broke the school record for career goals with 80 over the last four years, a total that ranks second in NCAC history and among the top 30 in NCAA Division III history.
Perhaps the best illustration of Vernon's impact on the Wittenberg program is the fact that 25 of her 80 career goals were credited as game-winners. She finished with six game-winning goals in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and seven in 2008 — the top total on the team each season.
"Boo was an outstanding player on an exceptional team, and this award is a tribute to all of the players who worked so well together throughout the field," said Head Coach Kelley Hubbell. "Boo constantly looked for new angles of attack and was an exciting player to watch. As a coach, it was great to see her control, stick skills and decision-making ability continue to grow even in her final season.
"She was a leader on the field in her solid performance and dedication to achieving team goals. She was part of a tremendous senior class, which is a group of student-athletes that gave so much to this program over the last four years. They will all be missed."
The Tigers won the 2010 NCAC regular season championship with a program-best 11-1 record. Overall, Wittenberg finished 15-4 after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to arch-rival Wooster in the NCAC Tournament title game, setting a school record with 79 goals in the 19 games.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photos By: Erin Pence
067-10