Galloway, NJ – Stockton University field hockey teammates
Victoria Caiazzo (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) and
Emily Gilligan (West Deptford/West Deptford) were selected to the
South Atlantic Region Second Team by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). Caiazzo and Gilligan led Stockton to a school-record 15 wins (15-6 record) and the program's first ECAC championship.
Caiazzo capped her career with a senior season of outstanding two-way play. A back, she started all 21 games and led the Ospreys in scoring with eight goals and four assists for 20 points, including five game-winning goals. Caiazzo also topped the team with five defensive saves and helped Stockton post nine shutouts and a 1.18 goals against average.
Caiazzo was voted NJAC First Team after tying for the third in the conference in game-winning goals and tying for fourth in defensive saves. The most dramatic of her game-winners was an overtime goal that gave Stockton a 2-1 win over Gwynedd Mercy on October 17. Caiazzo also was selected to the ECAC All-Tournament Team after helping the Ospreys to three straight wins in the tourney.
Gilligan added the all-region recognition to a list of prior accolades consisting of NJAC Goaltender of the Year, NJAC First Team, ECAC South Player of the Month for October and two NJAC Defensive Player of the Week awards. The junior goalie started all 21 games, tied the school record for shutouts in a season with five and also played in four combined shutouts.
Gilligan finished third in the NJAC in total saves (107), saves per game (5.10) and save percentage (.817). She ranked 15th in NCAA Division III in save percentage and 30th nationally in goals against average as well. Gilligan backstopped Stockton to all three of its ECAC Tournament victories and joined Caiazzo on the All-Tournament Team.
