Two Field Hockey Players Earn All-NEC Honors

Two Red Flash student-athletes were recently named to the All-Northeast Conference Field Hockey Second Team.

Junior Claudia Ortiz from Madrid, Spain, and freshman Eva Valentini from Junin, Buenos Aires, Argentina, became the 11th and 12th players in program history to earn All-NEC recognition.

Ortiz ranked second on the team with six goals and four assists in 2021. Her 16 points also ranked second on the team and she finished the season 10th in the NEC in goals.

The Communications major scored a goal in four matches, including two two-goal performances in a 5-0 win against Bryant on Oct. 8 and in a 4-3 win against Georgetown on Oct. 17.  Ortiz was named the NEC Player-of-the-Week on Oct. 18.

“It feels good to have my accomplishments this season noticed,” said Ortiz. “I’m looking forward to continuing my career next season and hoping to have an even better season.”

Valentini scored eight goals and tallied six assists for a team-high 22 points in 2021. In the NEC, she ranked fifth in goals, sixth in points, and seventh in points-per-game. The Political Science major had a career-high two markers in a 2-1 win against Ohio on Sept. 19.

Valentini was named Northeast Conference Rookie-of-the-Week on Sept. 13 and captured both NEC Player and Rookie-of-the-Week honors one week later.

“Even though the season didn’t end up how we wanted, I’m still proud of the team and of my accomplishments this year, especially being a freshman,” said Valentini.

The field hockey team posted a 7-12 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the NEC.