University of Delaware Athletics
ECAC Names Greta Nauck Offensive Player of the Year; Rolf van de Kerkhof Coach of the Year
12/3/2016 8:54:00 AM | Field Hockey
NFHCA Release
Rolf van de KerkhofThe pair led the Hens to the first National Championship in program history while UD finished the year with a 19-game winning streak and an overall mark of 23-2.
Nauck, the CAA Player of the Year, is the program's first-ever ECAC Player of the Year. Earlier this week she collected Delaware field hockey's first-ever Longstreth/NFHCA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year award.
“Congratulations to Greta and our entire National Champion team,” exclaimed Van de Kerkhof. “Although I know Greta doesn't like to be in the spotlight as she is a true team player, she is excited to be the recipient of this ECAC honor and would like to thank the Eastern College Athletic Conference."
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.
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.
"I believe Greta is very deserving of this award as the nation's leading scorer while helping the Blue Hens win their first National Championship,” Van de Kerkhof commented. “Her offensive qualities are a great combination of her skill set, vision, calmness and desire. She has grown immensely during the season, which has allowed her to become a true leader for our team when in need. Aside from congratulating Greta, I would like to thank her for the fine job she has done for herself and our University of Delaware Field Hockey program this past season."
Van de Kerkhof, also the program's first-ever ECAC Coach of the Year recipient, was also named the CAA Coach of the Year last month.
“Thank you Eastern College Athletic Conference for recognizing me as your 2016 Division I Field Hockey Coach of the Year,” stated Van de Kerkhof. “I have been fortunate and blessed to coach a self-driven players group and work with a great coaching staff, allowing our UDFH program to enjoy an amazing season with the best possible ending, that of winning the National Championship. Although I may be the recipient of this prestigious honor, I want to make sure that everybody understands that it is me thanking and sharing this award with my entire team and staff as we coached the Blue Hens together to a journey full of amazing experiences and memories."
In his sixth season at the helm of the Blue Hens, Van de Kerkhof has guided Delaware to four straight CAA titles and an overall mark of 86-45 (.656). His squad finished the year ranked in the top four nationally in winning percentage, scoring average, goals per game, points per game, scoring margin and assists per game. Van de Kerkhof was the first-ever male to serve as the head coach of a NCAA Field Hockey Championship game at the Division I, II or III level.
MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Hayon, Assistant Sports Information Director | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 302-379-9182
