Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Liz Musick
Novakova, Carotenuto, Oerlemans Named All-Region
6.1.21 | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA - For the first time since 2015, three members of the Temple field hockey team have earned Mid-Atlantic All-Region honors. Veronika Novakova has been named First Team All-Region, while Cristina Carotenuto and Nienke Oerlemans have been named Second Team All-Region.
"We are thrilled for Veronika, Cristina, Nienke and our entire team," head coach Susan Ciufo said. "It is so rewarding to see the work the team put in during a challenging year come to life. Veronika, Cristina, and Nienke have helped lead the way in this historic season for our program. Their work ethic and passion to push the envelope and be better every day is contagious for our team. While the individual accolades are special and these ladies are truly deserving, it is also proving the growth and excellence within our program as a whole. We are so proud to have three ladies selected for this great honor!"
Two of Novakova's team-leading four goals have been game-winners, including the game-winner in the season opener against Hofstra. Firing a team-leading 24 shots, she put 10 on target for a .417 shots on goal percentage. The Prague, Czech Republic native also led the team in assists with five and shared penalty corner inserting duties with Oerlemans. Novakova was one of four Owls to earn postseason honors, earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team, and was named to the NFHCA 2020 Division I Senior Team.
Carotenuto had an impressive season in the cage for the Owls. Her season GAA of 1.55 ranks eighth in program history for single-season GAA and was fourth in the BIG EAST. She recorded 64 saves on 185 shots faced for a .688 save percentage and helped lead the Owls to five shutouts in 2021. The Allentown, Pa. native led the team in regular-season honors, being named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll four times. Carotenuto was one of four Owls to earn postseason honors, earning a spot on the All-Conference Second Team, and was named to the NFHCA 2020 Division I Senior Team.Â
Oerlemans led a strong backline which has allowed just 91 shots on goal this year. The Apeldoorn, Netherlands native put six of her seven shots on target and shared penalty corner inserting duties with Novakova. Oerlemans was one of four Owls to earn postseason honors, earning a spot on the All-Conference Second Team.
The NFHCA Division I All-Region team announcement is the first in a list of postseason awards to come from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) over the next several weeks. Next to be announced are the NFHCA Regional Players of the Year on June 7 — they will be followed by the NFHCA All-American teams and the NFHCA National Player of the Year which will be revealed during the live NFHCA Awards Show sponsored by AstroTurf® on June 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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"We are thrilled for Veronika, Cristina, Nienke and our entire team," head coach Susan Ciufo said. "It is so rewarding to see the work the team put in during a challenging year come to life. Veronika, Cristina, and Nienke have helped lead the way in this historic season for our program. Their work ethic and passion to push the envelope and be better every day is contagious for our team. While the individual accolades are special and these ladies are truly deserving, it is also proving the growth and excellence within our program as a whole. We are so proud to have three ladies selected for this great honor!"
Two of Novakova's team-leading four goals have been game-winners, including the game-winner in the season opener against Hofstra. Firing a team-leading 24 shots, she put 10 on target for a .417 shots on goal percentage. The Prague, Czech Republic native also led the team in assists with five and shared penalty corner inserting duties with Oerlemans. Novakova was one of four Owls to earn postseason honors, earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team, and was named to the NFHCA 2020 Division I Senior Team.
Carotenuto had an impressive season in the cage for the Owls. Her season GAA of 1.55 ranks eighth in program history for single-season GAA and was fourth in the BIG EAST. She recorded 64 saves on 185 shots faced for a .688 save percentage and helped lead the Owls to five shutouts in 2021. The Allentown, Pa. native led the team in regular-season honors, being named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll four times. Carotenuto was one of four Owls to earn postseason honors, earning a spot on the All-Conference Second Team, and was named to the NFHCA 2020 Division I Senior Team.Â
Oerlemans led a strong backline which has allowed just 91 shots on goal this year. The Apeldoorn, Netherlands native put six of her seven shots on target and shared penalty corner inserting duties with Novakova. Oerlemans was one of four Owls to earn postseason honors, earning a spot on the All-Conference Second Team.
The NFHCA Division I All-Region team announcement is the first in a list of postseason awards to come from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) over the next several weeks. Next to be announced are the NFHCA Regional Players of the Year on June 7 — they will be followed by the NFHCA All-American teams and the NFHCA National Player of the Year which will be revealed during the live NFHCA Awards Show sponsored by AstroTurf® on June 15, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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Players Mentioned
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