Click here for the full 2021 All-SAA field hockey teams
The SAA announced their 2021 All-SAA field hockey teams Wednesday, as selected by the league's field hockey head coaches. Centre's Meredith Wickenheiser earned SAA Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Concorida Wisconsin's Emily Binley received the SAA Defensive Player of the Year award. Rhodes' Grace Utz took home SAA Newcomer of the Year accolades, and Centre coach Jenelle Anthony Downs won the award for SAA Coach of the Year.
Meredith Wickenheiser grabbed the SAA Offensive Player of the Year award for her efforts. She was among the league leaders in multiple categories, including finishing tied for first in the league with 0.47 assists per game and fourth with 1.53 points per game. She scored nine goals and tallied eight assists for a total of 26 points, leading the Colonels to the SAA regular season title and an NCAA tournament appearance.
Emily Binley was voted by the coaches as the SAA Defensive Player of the Year and the best goalkeeper in the league. She led the league in the vast majority of goalkeeper statistical categories, topping the conference in save percentage with a .783 mark and 162 total saves. She also topped the SAA with six shutouts and a .333 shutout percentage, as well as nine saves per game.
Grace Utz earned SAA Newcomer of the Year honors with an outstanding freshman season. She finished in the top 10 in the league in both shots and shots on goal, and netted the most important goal of the season for the Lynx. The Rhodes freshman won the SAA championship with an overtime goal against Centre on Sunday in the SAA final in Mequon, Wisconsin. She scored three goals and tallied a pair of assists over the course of the season.
Jenelle Anthony Downs won her seventh SAA Coach of the Year award in 2021. She led the Colonels to a 14-3 overall record and a perfect 4-0 mark in SAA play. Her team proved to be both the best offensive and defensive team in the league, scoring a league-best 3.06 goals per game and giving up a league-best 0.82 goals per game. Downs lead the Colonels to an NCAA tournament appearance, as well.