Athletics

December 8, 2016 | Athletic Communications

Three Huskies Earn Field Hockey All-American Selections

This is the seventh-straight season that UConn field hockey has produced at least three All-Americans.

Anna Middendorf (#19) and Charlotte Veitner (#26) celebrate the Huskies' win over Syracuse in the NCAA second round on Nov. 13. (Michael Okoniewski/Syracuse University Photo)

Anna Middendorf (#19) and Charlotte Veitner (#26) celebrate the Huskies' win over Syracuse in the NCAA second round on Nov. 13. Middendorf and Veitner were named Longstreth/NFHCA Division I First Team All-Americans this week, and Casey Umstead (#8) was selected as a Third Team All-American. (Michael Okoniewski/Syracuse University Photo)

Senior defender Anna Middendorf and junior forward Charlotte Veitner have both been named Longstreth/NFHCA Division I First Team All-Americans this week.

In addition, junior defender Casey Umstead was selected as a Third Team All-American for her contributions in the Huskies’ 22-2 season, which resulted in the program’s 14th trip to the NCAA Final Four.

This is the seventh-straight season that UConn has produced at least three All-Americans.

It is Veitner’s second consecutive selection on the First Team, while it is Middendorf’s third-career All-America honor (twice named Third Team All-America). It is Umstead’s first All-American recognition.

All three players were named to the All-Mideast Region First Team on Nov. 29, making them eligible for All-America honors. The trio made up three of UConn’s top four goal scorers in 2016.

Veitner, recently named All-Mideast Region Player of the Year, broke two program records this season – passing Lizzy Peijs for all-time assists and Lauren Henderson for all-time points. She was selected as Big East Offensive Player of the Year on Nov. 3.

A native of Dusseldorf, Germany, Veitner led the team in scoring with 27 goals and 17 assists – ranking second in Division I with a 2.96 points per game average. She scored a single-game program record of six goals against Virginia on Sept. 18.

Middendorf scored a career-high 13 goals this season, while helping the UConn defense post six shutouts in 2016. She was named Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year for her efforts – which included a game-winning goal with expired time at Old Dominion on Sept. 16.

Originally from Bremen, Germany, Middendorf earned two nods as Big East Defensive Player of the Week and three mentions on the Big East Honor Roll throughout the season.

With 18 goals and 15 assists this season, Umstead was third on the team in points (51) behind only Veitner (71) and sophomore forward Amanda Collins (56). She was selected to the All-Big East First Team in early November.

Umstead’s trademark moment was a penalty stroke goal in overtime against Boston College on Oct. 30, propelling UConn to a 4-3 victory in the regular-season finale.

Head coach Nancy Stevens has now coached 47 First Team All-America selections in her 38-year career.