McFarland Headlines Group of Four on All-CAC Squad
YORK, PA – Senior forward April
McFarland (York, Pa./Eastern York) led a group of four
York College field hockey players on the 2008 All-Capital Athletic
Conference squad. McFarland was a first-team selection for the
Spartans, while juniors Claire Rekitzke (Seaford,
Del./Seaford Senior), Megan Spangler (Myerstown,
Pa./Eastern Lebanon County), and Veronica Eltz
(Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) each landed on the
second-team.
McFarland’s final campaign in the
green and white was nothing short of fantastic as she recorded a
career year. She tallied a career-high 18 goals while adding a pair
of assists for 38 points. McFarland leaves York as the
program’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals and is second
all-time in career points with 115. A dangerous forward,
McFarland’s ability around the cage made her a force in each
of York’s 20 contests this year. This marks McFarland’s
first appearance on the All-CAC first-team while she was a
second-team honoree in 2007 and the league’s 2005
Rookie-of-the-Year.
“April is a great goal scorer, a
real quality field hockey player overall,” Spartan head coach
Jamie Swartz said of the most prestigious scorer in school history.
“She understands the game and brought a high-level of play to
each of our contests. Her leadership both on and off the field was
key to our success this season.”
Rekitzke, York’s junior goalkeeper,
returns to the All-CAC second-team after her appearance on the
squad last season. Accumulating over 1,300 minutes in the cage this
season, Rekitzke posted a strong 2.71 goals against average
registering 113 saves. Rekitzke possesses an excellent
understanding of the specialized position while she sports an
outstanding work rate that will allow her to continue to
improve.
“Claire is athletic, experienced,
and tough,” Swartz said of her two-time all-star. “She
made big saves for us throughout the season and has the ability to
keep opponents off the scoreboard. Her play in the cage was
instrumental to what we were able to do this past
season.”
Junior forward Spangler lands on the
All-CAC squad for the first time in her career, posting a breakout
year in 2008. Tallying five goals total over her first two seasons
in a Spartan uniform, Spangler burst on the scene this season with
16 goals over 20 games. Combined with four helpers, Spangler more
than doubled her career points output, notching 36 points this
season.
“Megan really came on strong this
year,” Swartz said. “To score 16 times after not
scoring that much your first two seasons is truly a remarkable
accomplishment.”
Fellow junior Eltz also makes her initial
appearance on the all-conference team. Spending her time on the
defensive end of the field, Eltz became a formidable opponent for
opposing attackers. Her toughness, athleticism, and fitness level
allowed Eltz to become one of the CAC’s top defenders during
the 2008 campaign. A tri-captain, Eltz brought even more quality
leadership to the Spartan program.
“Obviously a program needs many
things to become a national powerhouse, but one of the first things
you have to have is a quality defense,” Swartz said.
“Veronica brings a high level of play to our defensive unit.
She has the tools to be a great defender and it showed this
year.”
The Spartans finished the season with an
8-12 record but will welcome back their three All-CAC second-team
members in 2009 as they look to climb the tough CAC ladder.
“I am already looking forward to
next year,” Swartz said. “We have quality players here
already and if they each work hard in the off-season we could do
even better things next year. Our conference is tough but I believe
that these players are up to the challenge.”