Rijpma and Deacon Named All-Americans
11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 23, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State field hockey seniors Floor Rijpma (Bunnik, Netherlands) and Jeamie Deacon (Wexford, Ireland) have been named All-Americans by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). Rijpma becomes the first Spartan to take home First Team All-America honors in consecutive seasons. While Deacon, a 2009 Second Team All-America selection, becomes just the third player to be named an All-America in three straight seasons joining Rijpma and Rayna Hiscox.
"It's great to have two players represented in the All-American selections," said head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "Both Floor and Jeamie have done an excellent job with our team helping to put our program in the top five nationally. They will be missed, but they can look back on great careers as members of the Spartan Field Hockey family."
Rijpma, the NFHCA West Region Player of the Year, was the offensive leader for the Spartans in 2009 leading the team with 52 points on a team-leading 24 goals and four assists. 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. By virtue of winning the NFHCA West Region Player of the Year award, Rijpma will be one of four players nominated for the Honda Sports Award, which is given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports.
Deacon, a NFHCA West Region First Team selection, was also a force for the Spartans offense scoring 11 goals and adding six assists despite missing several games due to injuries. The 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.
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.
