Rijpma Named NFHCA West Region Player of the Year
11/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 19, 2009
EAST LANSING. Mich.- Coming off of one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Michigan State field hockey team has seen five players take home National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I All-West Region honors. Leading the way for the Spartans was senior Floor Rijpma (Bunnik, Netherlands) who was named NFHCA West Region Player of the Year and a was an unanimous First Team selection. Joining Rijpma on the first team was fellow senior Jeamie Deacon (Wexford, Ireland). Rounding out the Spartan honorees were senior Elissa Unger (Reading, Pa), junior Jantine Steinmetz (Amstelveen, Netherlands) and freshman Manouk Vernij (Bleiswijk, Netherlands) who were named to the Second Team. This marks the third consecutive season that Rijpma, Deacon and Steinmetz have taken home All-Region honors and marks the 11th time in 24 years that the Spartans have had three or more players selected to the all-region teams in a single season.
"We are very honored to have five players honored by the NFHCA," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "It speaks not only to the quality of those five players but to all of the girls on the team. I see all of these honors as team honors."
Rijpma was the offensive leader for the Spartans in 2009 leading the team with 52 points on a team-leading 24 goals and four assists. Rijpma, the unanimous Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten selection, finished Big Ten regular season play as the conferences' leading goal scorer (10) and point getter (20) for the second consecutive season. Additionally, Rijpma recorded four hat tricks on the season (vs. American, vs. Northwestern, at Penn State and vs. Delaware) and added a team-leading eight game-winning goals. The four hat tricks are the second most in a single season in program history. Rijpma finishes her Spartan career as one of the most prolific scorers in program history ranking third all-time in points (138) and goals (60) at MSU.
"Floor did great representing Michigan State and the Big Ten," said van de Kerkhof. "She worked really hard during her four years and developed into not only a great player but a great person. It's great how it all came together for her during her senior season resulting in a successful season for the Spartans."
Deacon was also a force for the Spartans offense scoring 11 goals and adding six assists despite missing several games due to injuries. Deacon, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, finishes her Spartan career ranked seventh all-time in points (95) and goals (35) despite only competing for three seasons.
"It's great to see Jeamie get recognized again," van de Kerkhof said. "Her health may have put her back a little bit but she found a way to really help out the team. It's nice to see other coaches recognize her accomplishments again."
Unger led the Spartans in goal in 2009 finishing the year as the Big Ten's leader in goals against average (1.17) and save percentage (.794). Additionally, Unger was named a Second Team All-Big Ten selection and the Big Ten Tournament MVP. Unger finished her career with 50 wins and 13 shutouts.
"Unger is one of the great success stories at Michigan State," van de Kerkhof said. "She was recruited as a backup goalie but she improved every year, became a leader and ended up being a very important member of the team. It's great to see a player like her develop over four years and now being listed as an All-Region player. Those are awards that aren't just given to players, you have to earn them and she did."
Steinmetz takes home NFHCA honors for the third consecutive season after a season which saw her score 10 goals and add 4 assists. Steinmetz, a Second Team All-Big Ten selection, is currently ranked ninth all-time in goals at MSU with 32.
"Jantine was crucial in some of the games this year," said van de Kerkhof. "She was crucial this year for us, some of the plays she made and goals she scored really helped this team achieve its goals. She continued to help herself and the Spartans this season but I believe that the best is yet to come for her. Having her back next year is going to be crucial for our team."
Vernij had one of the most successful seasons for a freshman in school history recording 35 points on 11 goals and a team-leading 13 assists. Vernij, a three time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, was also a Second Team All-Big Ten selection.
"When we brought Manouk in we knew she had exceptional talent and knew she would be an impact player," van de Kerkhof said. "She was able to come in from day one and help the team. We're very happy she was recognized by other coaches in the Midwest for her achievements."
Michigan State finished the season with an 18-4 record, tying for the second most victories in a single season. The Spartans also won the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Titles becoming only the second school in Big Ten history to finish regular season and tournament play unbeaten. The Green and White also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season and seventh time in school history. The Spartans dropped Delaware 7-0 in their Tournament opener before falling to No. 2 Virginia 3-2 in overtime.
