Aug. 22, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Big Ten 2012 field hockey Players to Watch List has been announced.  The list was announced Wednesday, August 22, by the Big Ten Network.

On the list for the Spartans are Molly Cassidy from Encinitas, Calif., Adelle Lever from Blue Bell, Pa., and Becky Stiles from Medford, N.J.  Each player started in all 20 games last season.

"It is an individual and a team honor," said head coach Helen Knull.  "All three players had a strong 2011 campaign and should be impact players for the Spartans in 2012." 

Cassidy, a redshirted junior, begins her third year as starting goalie for the green and white.  Over the past two years she has had 258 saves, last year leading the Big 10 with an average of 7.5 saves per game.

Senior Lever begins her second year as team captain.  In the 2011 season Lever tied for second in the Big Ten with four defensive saves. She was also honored as an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and named to the Second Team All-Big Ten. 

Stiles, a sophomore, is currently at the University of Maryland as part of the U21 National Field Hockey team.  Last year she also was part of the U21 team and traveled to compete in London.  During her debut season she scored one goal and had three assists. 

The 2012 season officially kicks off this Friday at 1 p.m. against Boston College. 

2012 Big Ten Field Hockey Players to Watch List:

Indiana

Hannah Boyer
Morgan Fleetwood
Audra Heilman 

Iowa

Jessica Barnett
Karli Johansen
Kathleen McGraw 

Michigan

Rachael Mack
Shannon Scavelli
Axelle Wouters 

Chelsea Armstrong
Nikki Parsley
Tara Puffenburger 

Ohio State

Danica Deckard
Paula Pastor-Pitarque
Berta Queralt 

Penn State

Kelsey Amy
Laura Gerbhart
Ayla Halus