Nov. 19, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State field hockey had four members of the 2013 squad earn All-Mideast region first or second team recognition from the NFHCA on Tuesday. Abby Fuhrman (Bainbridge, Pa.), Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.) and Brittany Grzywacz (Collegeville, Pa.) all garnered first team status while Ashtin Klingler (Selinsgrove, Pa.) was given second team honors.
The 2013 season marks the ninth-straight season Penn State has had at least four players selected as All-Mideast region performers. All four of this year's Penn State selections are repeat honorees, as each garnered first or second team status in 2012.
This season marks the first season that Fuhrman has received first team recognition from the NFHCA. A season ago the senior was placed on the All-Mideast region second team. Fuhrman scored her first two career goals this season, while also playing a vital central defender position for the Nittany Lions.
The senior helped the Blue and White tie for the most shutouts in the Big Ten with seven while allowing just 32 goals all season, the second fewest of any team in the conference.
Gebhart is also no stranger to awards from the NFHCA. The junior has now been selected as an All-Mideast region first team honoree all three years as a Nittany Lion. Gebhart captained the midfield for the Blue and White, controlling the tempo and connecting the defense and attack.
The midfielder led the Big Ten in assists with 14 and ranks tied for third on the NCAA active career assists leaders list with 38, the most of any junior in the nation. Gebhart also received first team All-Big Ten recognition in 2013 for her performance on the field.
Grzywacz, now a three-time NCHCA All-Mideast first team selection and a one-time second team honoree, turned in a stellar senior season for the Blue and White, ranking second on the team in goals with 12, including leading the Big Ten with seven game-winning scores.
The senior anchored the Nittany Lion back line that allowed just seven goals in Big Ten play, tied for fewest in the conference. Grzywacz was also named the Big Ten Defender of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Representing Penn State on the second team is Klingler. This is the second consecutive year that Klingler has received this honor. The senior finished the season with eight goals on just 28 shots, proving to be one of the Nittany Lions' most efficient attackers.
Klingler ranked third on the team in goals and provided the Blue and White with two game winners this season. The senior also set a career high in assists with three. To go along with this honor, Klingler garnered second team All-Big Ten accolades earlier this season.