BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Vermont field hockey program – coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history – recognized the individual accomplishments of the 2021 fall season on Wednesday announcing major team award winners.
RELATED LINKS
NFHCA All-Region Honors
America East All-Conference Selections
Vermont finished the 2021 season with a 10-8 overall record just outside of playoff position. The Cats beat two ranked opponents for the first time in program history and knocked off the two top seeds in the conference tournament – the only team to do that in the regular season.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER | Clodagh Ferry
The Most Valuable Player award is given to the athlete who most notably contributed to the team's success on the pitch. For the second straight season the award goes to Ferry who earned her fourth straight All-Conference selection this fall (America East First Team) and was recognized as a member of the All-Northeast Region Second Team. She led the team with a career-high 10 goals as the Cats were 6-2 this season when Ferry scored.
"For the second year in a row, Clodagh earned recognition as one of the best players in the league and in the region," head coach
Kate Pfeifer said. "Beyond talent, what really set her apart this year was her consistent impact and will to be the fierce and formidable leader the team needed to win games."
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER | Ellie Reed
The Most Improved Player award is given to the athlete who exemplifies notable coachability and growth to help the team be successful. Reed saw action in 10 games this season recorded her first career shot in a win over Brown back in September.
"Ellie approaches each training session as an opportunity to learn and get better. She is already a high achiever in athletic performance, and continues to grow her skills and tactical understanding," Pfeifer said. "Ellie's speed and selfless play define her game and I'm excited to see the impact she will have in seasons to come."
CATAMOUNT GRIT AWARD | Lydia Maitland
The Catamount Grit Award is given to the athlete who demonstrated remarkable work ethic and commitment to being mentally and physically tough. Maitland started all 18 games this season and her impact on the game often went beyond the box score making key defensive plays and maintaining a steady presence in the Vermont midfield. She was also named to the America East All-Academic team for the second straight season.
"Lydia is one of the most hard-working players I have ever coached. She exemplifies our program's core values in every way: as a student-athlete, a teammate, and a team captain," Pfeifer explained. "We've been so fortunate to have her setting the standard, and showing her teammates the way for the past four years."
STIRLING WINDER AWARD | Maddie Moran
The Stirling Winder Award honors the athlete who embodies the qualities of strength, perseverance and resiliency in the face of hardship. After a pair of knee surgeries sidelines Moran in her first two season in Burlington and a season-ending hand injury as a junior, Moran again missed a significant portion of this past season. In limited action, she delivered strong offensive pressure finishing the year with two assists and six shots on goal.
"The setbacks Maddie has faced would make some athletes question whether they should continue in sport," Pfeifer said. "Maddie's determination to get back on the field has never wavered and we are all hoping for her to have a memorable senior season this coming fall."
