ATLANTA, Ga. (November 2, 2023) – The Southern Athletic Association field hockey coaches have announced the 2023 All-Conference teams. Rhodes Sophie Croci repeated as Offensive Player of the Year while Sewanee’s Mimi Wilson was voted Defensive Player of the Year. Leah Mouganis from Concordia is the Newcomer of the Year and Centre leader Grace Goodbarn was named the Coach of the Year.
Offensive Player of the Year Sophi Croci (Senior/Columbus, Ohio) – led the SAA in nearly every offensive category, scoring 48 points on the season on 21 goals, including five game winners, and six assists. In SAA action, she led the league with 23 points and 11 goals. Eight times she tallied multiple goals, including three against both Sewanee and Concordia in SAA play. Croci has been on the first team All-SAA each of the last three seasons.
Defensive Player of the Year Mimi Wilson (Junior/Houston, Texas) – was a force for the Sewanee defense all season long. The junior had 12 starts and played 60 or more minutes 11 times. Wilson tallied a defensive save against Stevenson to highlight her season. She was also All-Conference in 2021, landing on the second team.
Newcomer of the Year Leah Mouganis (First year/Pittsburgh, Pa.) – played left back for the Falcons and was tasked with checking the opponents’ top scorers. The first year was fourth in the conference with five defensive saves, including one each against SAA foes Marian and Centre and twice against Rhodes. The defender also helped on the offensive side, tallying a goal against Oberlin and getting off five shots on the season.
Coach of the Year Grace Goodbarn is in her second year leading Centre, guiding the squad to the tournament title last season and the regular season crown in 2023. Her Colonels finished second in the conference with 26 goals scored and just eight surrendered in conference play. Goodbarn’s squad posted a 10-8 overall record and 7-1 mark in SAA play this season.
The SAA All-Conference teams and award winners are voted on among the league’s five head coaches.
Offensive Player of the Year – Sophie Croci, Rhodes
Defensive Player of the Year – Mimi Wilson, Sewanee
Newcomer of the Year – Leah Mouganis, Concordia
Coach of the Year – Grace Goodbarn, Centre
First Team All-SAA
GK – Carlie McKenry, Centre
Abby Brainard, Centre
Sophie Croci, Rhodes
Eva Houtackers, Marian
RC Kugler, Rhodes
Claire Martin, Centre
Leah Mouganis, Concordia
Allyson Nichols, Marian
Meghan Speth, Centre
Grace Utz, Rhodes
Mimi Wilson, Sewanee
Second Team All-SAA
GK – Halli Schneiderwendt, Concordia
Jikke Biemans, Marian
Eve Bournias, Sewanee
Alder Dickey, Rhodes
Peyton Gahm, Centre
Hannah Lange, Centre
Merel Nagelkerke, Marian
Indi Rameckers, Marian
Halle Rigden, Centre
Darian Smith, Rhodes
Sophia Vandeloecht, Concordia