Three From Field Hockey Named To All-Region Teams

Three From Field Hockey Named To All-Region Teams

CHANDLER, Ariz. – The 2016 Longstreth/NFHCA Division III All-Region Teams have been announced and three Mount Holyoke College student-athletes were recognized on the All-New England East Region squad. Ruvimbo Mushavi was a First Team honoree, while Liz DiCesare and Charlotte Wagner were tabbed to the Second Team. This is the third All-Region honor for Mushavi, the fourth for DiCesare, and the second for Wagner.

Honored for the third straight season was Mushavi, a senior defender and captain who hails from Harare, Zimbabwe. She earned her spot after serving as a constant and powerful defensive presence for a Lyons squad that allowed just 30 goals on the season, ranking second in the NEWMAC in save percentage (.773). MHC also finished 46th in all of Division III in goals against average (1.54).

Additionally, the former Arundel School standout also helped the Lyons rank fourth in the conference in defensive saves with eight, half of which she recorded (4). Among her top efforts included key defensive stops in a 2-1 win over Springfield, as well as a 3-2 victory at Westfield State.

During her four-year career, Mushavi started every game, playing in all 83 contests. She notched one goal, which came in a 1-0 double-overtime win at Babson in the 2015 NEWMAC semifinals, while also recording 16 defensive saves. She was a three-time All-Conference selection, including First Team in 2015 and 2016.

DiCesare, a senior goalie and captain out of Westford, Mass., posted a 10-7 record during the 2016 season. She owned a 1.53 goals against average with a .783 save percentage. Consistently one of the top keepers in the nation throughout her career, she ranked 38th in Division III in save percentage and was 47th overall in goals against average. DiCesare ranked second in the NEWMAC in victories, posting 94 saves over 1193:08 minutes of action to rank fourth in the conference in both categories.

The former Bishop Guertin High School graduate had a number of outstanding efforts on the season, including backstopping the Lyons to their first win at Wellesley in over 20 years, making one save as MHC posted a 2-1 win over the Blue in the NEWMAC Quarterfinals.

DiCesare, a four-time All-Region honoree, including twice on the First Team, ranks among the all-time greatest in goaltenders at Mount Holyoke. She appeared in 79 games with 78 starts. She has a lifetime 1.28 goals against average with a .825 save percentage. Owning a record of 58-21 with 13 shutouts, she made 454 saves in her career with 5243:43 minutes played. The 2015 NEWMAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player, she was a four-time All-Conference honoree, including two twice on the First Team. She was a Second Team honoree in 2015 and 2013, as well as the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year in 2013.

Rounding out this year's honors was Wagner. The West Chester, Pa., native led the Lyons in every offensive statistical category for the second straight season in 2016. A starter in all 19 contests, she posted 16 goals with eight assists for 40 points. She recorded 87 shots, including 57 on goal, and also added four game-winning tallies.

Highlighting Wagner's 2016 was 6-2 victory over Castleton in which she scored the game-winning goal, added two others, and an assist in the Lyons victory. Wagner ranked 44th in Division III in points per game (2.11). She was also third in the NEWMAC in game-winning goals and shots on goal, fourth in goals, points and shots, while finishing fifth in assists.

The former Westtown School standout, who garnered All-Region Second Team honors in 2015, also started all 83 games of her career. She notched 58 goals with 44 assists for 160 points. In addition to recording 277 shots, 190 of which were on goal, she also posted 14 game-winning tallies. Among the best in program history, Wagner ranks second in career points, third in assists and fourth in goals.

Mount Holyoke concluded its season with a 12-7 overall record. The Lyons finished 5-3 in the NEWMAC, advancing to the conference tournament for the 18th straight season. MHC bested Wellesley in the NEWMAC Quarterfinals, advancing to the Semifinals for the fourth straight season. Despite a solid effort, the Lyons shouldered a 1-0 loss to nationally-ranked Babson, who went on to with the NEWMAC Championship.