Kittelberger named for a third consecutive year

KENT, Ohio — The Mid-American Conference announced its 2009 Field Hockey Academic All-MAC team on Tuesday.  Kent State placed a league high four student-athletes on the team which is voted on by faculty athletic representatives at MAC institutions. A total of 11 student-athletes were named to the squad.

Representing Kent State are senior midfielder Allison Kittelberger (Webster, N.Y. / Schroeder), senior forward Laurie Wilkins (Toledo, Ohio / Ottawa Hills), junior midfielder Katie George (Springfield, Pa. / Cardinal O'Hara) and junior forward Nicole Leach (San Diego,Calif. / Mira Mesa).    

A Business Marketing major, Kittelberger was selected to the team for third time in her career.  She becomes just the fifth player in program history to earn the honor three times and the first since Elizabeth Lahey (2004-06).  

A three-time Second Team All-MAC selection, Kittelberger started all 20 games recording two goals and nine assists this season.  A key member of both the offensive and defensive corner units for KSU she tied for fourth in the MAC with nine assists.  Her 27 career assists ranks ninth all-time in school history.  Kittelberger was a MAC All-Tournament team pick in 2008 and ended her career starting 63 consecutive games.     

An Early Childhood Education major,  Wilkins earns her second straight Academic All-MAC nod.  This fall she started all 20 games for KSU and ranked third on the team with eight goals and 21 points while taking home her second straight Second Team All-MAC award.  She also contributed five assists on the year and was 10th in the MAC with 1.05 points per game.  

A Second Team All-MAC selection, George started all 20 games recording one assist.  A Business Management major, she helped lead the KSU defense to four shutouts on the year and a 1.70 goals against average in MAC play.  George has started every game for Kent State over the past two seasons (41 straight).  

Leach is a two-time MAC All-Tournament Team selection.  Majoring in Business Management, she scored three goals and had seven assists while starting all 20 games this season.   She tied for eighth in the MAC in assists and was the primary stopper on the offensive penalty corner unit.  Two of her assists where on game winning goals.

The Golden Flashes won a share of their second straight MAC regular season title this season with an 8-2 league record.  
  
2009 Academic All-MAC Field Hockey Team
Brooke MacGillvary, Ball State
Devanny Kuhn, Ball State
Melinda Curran, Central Michigan
Katie George, Kent State
Allison Kittelberger, Kent State
Nicole Leach, Kent State
Laurie Wilkins, Kent State
Katie Brightwell, Miami
Mary Hull, Miami
Melissa Lantz, Missouri State
Marcy Dull, Ohio