ROCK HILL, S.C. – The South Atlantic Conference office announced its annual field hockey awards and all conference teams on Wednesday with Converse University taking home both offensive and defensive player of the year honors.
 
Sophomore forward Lotte Kanters (Loosdrecht, Netherlands) had a record-breaking season on the pitch for the Valkyries this year. Kanters leads the SAC and the nation in goals (27), goals per game (1.59), points (62), points per game (3.65), and game-winning goals (7). Kanters reset the school record in almost every offensive category and she set a new SAC single season record for points in a season with 62. A three-time SAC Offensive Player of the Week, Kanters also earned NFHCA Offensive Player of the Week honors for her performance on the field. This is the first Offensive Player of the Year award and her second First Team All-Conference selection. The Valkyries have now won the Offensive Player of the Year award in back-to-back seasons.
 
Freshman defender Josephine Jense had a breakout freshman season along the Valkyries back line. The anchor for one of the countries best defenses, Jense earned SAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season. Jense started and played every minute of every game for the Valkyries this season. The freshman helped the Valkyries to nine shutouts and a 0.76 goals against average. Jense also scored a goal and assisted on two others this season. Jense becomes the second Valkyrie to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors and earned a spot on the All-Conference First team.
 
Catalina Pistaccio (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Luisa Fasold (Wolfenbuttel, Germany) also earned spots on the All-Conference first team. Pistaccio finished second on the team in goals (11), assists (10), points (32), total shots (76), shots on goal (46) and game-winning goals (4). Pistaccio also set the school record for goals in a game with four against Wingate earlier in the season. Pistaccio was also named SAC Offensive Player of the Week once this season. For Pistaccio this is her second First Team All-Conference accolade.
 
Fasold was the anchor in the middle of the field for the Valkyries this season. On the defensive side of the ball she helped the Valkyries to nine shutouts, while on the offensive side of the ball she was the catalyst for a potent front line. Fasold led the team with 12 assists on the season and finished second in the nation in assists per game (0.71). For Fasold this is her first All-Conference accolade of her career.
 
Julia Matthijssen (Bemmel, Netherlands) earned All-Conference Second Team honors for her performance on the field this season. Matthijssen a three-year starter on the Valkyries back-line had one of her best seasons on the field. The junior started 16 games for the Valkyries and helped Converse to 9 shutouts and a 0.76 goals against average. On the offensive side of the ball, Matthijssen picked up an assist in the final game of the season. This is her first All-Conference accolade of her career.
 
Converse also brought home seven statistical championships this season from the South Atlantic Conference. Kanters was the statistical champion for goals per game, and points per game, while Fasold brought home the championship for assists per game. As a unit, the Valkyries won the statistical championship for team goals per game (3.96), team points per game (10.82), team assists per game (2.94) and team goals against average (0.76).
 
2022 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Field Hockey All-Conference
 
First Team
Nikki Bos, Mount Olive
Lotte Kanters, Converse
Sophie Schmitz, Lander
Catalina Pistaccio, Converse
Josephine Jense, Converse
Luisa Fasold, Converse
Casey Etter, Belmont Abbey
Stembile Chikoore, Newberry
Josefina Golppi, Limestone
Kelsey Gibbons, Lander
Avery Congleton, Mount Olive
Annefleur Moerkerken, Mount Olive
Jule Schuurman, Mount Olive
 
Second Team
Lieke Varenkamp, Newberry
Maud Van duin, Mount Olive
Tereza Koprivova, Limestone
Alanna Barrett, Mount Olive
Jente Ogterop, Mount Olive
Lieke Toma, Lander
Payton Findlay, Newberry
Julia Matthijssen, Converse
Celine De witte, Mount Olive
Kaiya Sabur, Coker
Tamsin Bangert, Newberry
Chloe Parker, Belmont Abbey
Frederique Van der houwen, Lander
 
Offensive Player of the Year
Lotte Kanters, Converse
Defensive Player of the Year
Josephine Jense, Converse
Freshman of the Year
Nikki Bos, Mount Olive
Coach of the Year
Daan Polders, Mount Olive
Statistical Champions
Goals Per Game: Lotte Kanters, Converse (1.59)
Points Per Game:  Lotte Kanters, Converse (3.65)
Assists Per Game: Luisa Fasold, Converse (0.71)
Defensive Saves: Kiarra Rivera, Coker (5)
Goals Against Average: Kelsey Gibbons, Lander (1.22)
Save Percentage: Kelsey Gibbons, Lander (.831)
Saves Per Game: Keegan Gillman, Lincoln Memorial (8.00)
Team Goals Per Game: Converse (3.96)
Team Points Per Game:  Converse (10.82)
Team Assists Per Game:  Converse (2.94)
Team Defensive Saves: Coker (12)
Team Goals Against Average: Converse (0.76)
Team Save Percentage: Lander (.767)
 
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