Dragon, Crouse Rack Up Top ECAC Year-End Kudos
CENTERVILLE, Mass. (Dec. 20, 2013) - After a program-setting 2013 campaign, two LIU Post field hockey players were recognized by the ECAC on Thursday. Senior forward
Carlee Dragon (Bridgewater, N.J.) and graduate defender
Dani Crouse (Westville, South Africa) were tabbed the ECAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.
Dragon led an LIU Post offense that averaged 4.18 goals per game and outscored its opponents, 92-19, in 22 games in 2013. She tallied 78 points (31 goals, 16 assists) and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation in assists and No. 2 in both goals and points. As a result, the Bridgewater, N.J. native was named to the NFHCA/Longstreth Division II All-America first-team for the third-consecutive season, and selected as the Synapse Sports Offensive Player of the Year.
Crouse anchored the LIU Post defensive unit, solidifying a back line that was the driving force behind the Pioneers' march to the national title game. The Pioneers' defense owned the nation's second-best goals-against average (0.85) and touted the country's top scoring margin (3.25). Crouse added some offense from her defensive position as well, finding the back of the cage six times and dishing out 14 assists. She was chosen to the NFHCA/Longstreth and Synapse Sports All-America first-team for her efforts.
The Pioneers finished the 2013 season with a program-best 21-1 overall record, including a perfect 10-0 mark in Northeast-10 Conference play. They also captured their first-ever NE-10 title, but fell to Shippensburg in the NCAA Division II National Championship in overtime, 2-1.