The National Field Hockey Coaches Association announced Wednesday seven Missouri State field hockey players had made the 2007 ZAG/NFHCA Divison I National Academic Squad. The Bears were also recognized with a 2007 ZAG/NFHCA Division I National Academic Team Award. Seniors Kim Kinsella and Joann Westman, juniors Jessica Schuster and Sandy Fulkerson, sophomore Carrie Lampe and freshmen Kelly Irwin and Megan Shamleffer were named to the squad.
NFHCA recognizes collegiate student-athletes who have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 through the first semester of the 2007-08 academic year. To qualify for the team award, an institution has to achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA during the fall semester of the current academic year.
Goalkeeper Kinsella was also named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference team and started every game for the Bears between the pipes. Kinsella topped the nation in saves per game (11.38), collecting 239 total saves. Kinsella is a marketing management major with a 3.60 cumulative GPA.
Schuster, also a goalkeeper for the Bears, is an individualized biomedical sciences major with a 3.64 cumulative GPA. Schuster teamed up with Kinsella this season to bring home the top spot in saves per game (11.9). Schuster saw time in four games this season allowing 10 goals with 10 saves.
Westman saw action in 11 games with one start this season for the Bears. She is a communications major with a 3.66 cumulative GPA.
Fulkerson, with a 3.28 GPA in biology, led the team with seven defensive saves in 15 starts for the Bears.
Carrie Lampe saw no playing time this season but earned a cumulative 3.48 GPA in Agriculture Technology Education.
Irwin had five starts in 18 games with one assist and one shot on goal in her first season as a Bear. Irwin is a psychology major with a 3.68 cumulative GPA.
Shamleffer started five times in 19 matches with one shot on goal for the Bears this season. She is an exercise and movement science major in her first year at Missouri State with a 3.67 GPA.
Missouri State finished the 2007 season 2-19, 1-9 in MAC play. The Bears will only graduate four players from the 2007 team, including Whitney Barrett, Melissa Millin, Kinsella and Westman.
