Galloway, N.J. – Three Stockton University field hockey players were selected for
NJAC All-Conference honors. Senior
Gianna Morganti (Berlin/St. Joseph's) and freshman
Alexandria Palumbo (Mantua/Clearview) were voted to the NJAC First Team while junior
Rhian Freire (Mays Landing/Cedar Creek) was chosen NJAC Honorable Mention.
Morganti earned her second straight NJAC First Team accolade while Palumbo and Freire were recognized with all-conference status for the first time in their careers.
Morganti led the Ospreys in scoring with 13 goals and three assists for 29 points on the season. Her goal total is tied for fifth in the league and her point total currently ranks eighth. Morganti also is fifth in the NJAC in shots per game (3.44) and shots on goal per game (2.69).
Morganti scored two game-winning goals and also contributed one defensive save. The forward was named NJAC Player of the Week once this season.
The senior etched her name in the record book at Stockton as her 13 tallies tied the fourth-highest season total in program history and her 29 points tied for fifth. Morganti started all 39 games that she played at Stockton after transferring from Rider University. She is third in Stockton history in goals (25) and fourth in points (57).
Palumbo had a great freshman season as an Osprey with 10 goals, including at least one in six of her last seven games. Her 10 markers, which is tied for 10th in the NJAC, and 20 points both ranked second on the team behind only Morganti.
Palumbo tied for the team lead and fourth in the conference with three defensive saves, and she netted the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Montclair State on October 23. The freshman was named NJAC Rookie of the Week once this season.
Freire was one of five Ospreys to start all 16 games for Stockton, which went 8-8 on the season. The back provided reliable defensive play throughout the year, rarely leaving the field for a defense that recorded four shutouts, allowed just one goal three times and finished with a 1.63 goals against average.
Friere moved into the starting lineup during the abbreviated Spring 2021 season and has started 21 consecutive games for the Ospreys.
