University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Sophomore Greta Nauck Tabbed NFHCA Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year
12/1/2016 12:19:00 PM | Field Hockey
NFHCA Release
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Delaware sophomore Greta Nauck (Krefeld, Germany/Gymnasium am Moltekeplatz) was named Thursday as the program's first-ever Longstreth/NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year.
Rolf van de Kerkhof. "What an amazing year she has put together for herself and the Blue Hens. Although she will be the last one to brag about being the NFHCA Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year, I am very happy for her and the recognition she is receiving from our National Field Hockey Coaches Association."Nauck led the Blue Hens to the first National Championship in program history while Delaware finished the year with a 19-game winning streak and an overall mark of 23-2.
The CAA Player of the Year finished the season first nationally with 3.04 points per game and 1.32 goals per game on a school record 76 points and 33 goals. In just two seasons for Delaware, the midfielder is seventh in program history with 103 career points on 44 goals and 15 assists.
"I feel extremely honored to receive the NFHCA Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year award," stated Nauck. "It is a recognition that was only possible due to the outstanding commitment of my 23 teammates. One of my priorities this season was to enable our senior class a worthy end of their college career. A big part of my development as a person and as a player is based on their support and friendship. I also want to emphasize my coaching staff. Rolf van de Kerkhof and his team have done an amazing job throughout the entire season in helping me becoming the best player I can be. Last but not least also my parents and my brother always supported me. All this in summary is the pleasure of being part of the great Delaware program. We fight together and we win together."
Nauck tallied the game-winning goal in 10 of UD's 23 victories and came through in the clutch in two huge NCAA Tournament wins. First, she posted the overtime game-winner in a 3-2 victory at No. 1 Duke in the second round of the tournament before registering the National Championship's game-winning goal with under six minutes to play for the 3-2 win over North Carolina in the title game.
"The personal growth Greta has enjoyed over the course of the past twelve months is amazing and is a direct result of her desire and commitment to improve her overall involvement in our program," Van de Kerkhof remarked. "She was a good player and teammate and has become an even better player and teammate. This is the joy of coaching and developing young talented people like Greta and all my Blue Hen student-athletes."
Other Regional Player of the Year accolades went to Connecticut junior forward Charlotte Veitner (Mideast), Albany senior midfielder Paula Heuser (Northeast), Virginia junior midfielder Tara Vittese (South) and Iowa senior forward Natalie Cafone (West).
The Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-America squad will be released December 7 with the National Player of the Year announcement coming on December 14.
MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Hayon, Assistant Sports Information Director | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 302-379-9182
