Skyhawks rising sophomore All-American among 33 field hockey players participating in eight training sessions at Boston College and UMass
EASTON, Mass. (May 23, 2016) – Stonehill College rising sophomore All-American Kacie Smith (Norwood, Massachusetts/Norwood) is among 33 field hockey athletes participating in the USA Field Hockey High Performance Training program for the Northeast Region being conducted over eight sessions at Boston College and the University of Massachusetts this month.
Smith is the lone Division II student-athlete to earn a spot on the training squad following a tryout of 60 candidates in late April/early May. Following the eight sessions, USA Field Hockey will select a team to represent the North at the High Performance Tournament in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in June. That tournament will be used to select U-19, U-21 and USA National Team selections.
"We are all very proud of Kacie for beginning her process in expanding her field hockey skills, knowledge and game tactics," said Stonehill field hockey head coach Susan Ciufo. "It is hard to believe Kacie didn't pick up a stick until her junior year of high school. The natural abilities she possesses has helped her stand out in many areas. With training at the North site Kacie is experiencing a wealth of great coaching which will help her grow as a player and teammate here at Stonehill."
USA Field Hockey's High Performance Training Centers identify and train potential U.S. Women's National Team athletes through comprehensive training and skill enhancement sessions, as well as premier level competitions. The regional squads will practice together throughout the month of May before finalizing their rosters to compete at the Young Women's National Championship in Lancaster, Pa. from June 28-July 2.
Smith made an immediate impact as a freshman for Stonehill, earning second team 
All-America honors as well as Division II All-Rookie Team honors from Synapse Sports Division II All-Rookie Team. She also collected All-Northeast-10 Conference second team and All-Rookie team status after finishing her first collegiate season with 14 goals and seven assists for 35 points, ranking second on the team for goals and points and third in assists.
Smith also ranked tenth nationally in Division II for points per game (1.82), ninth in goals per game (0.71) and 13th for assists per game (0.41). She earned NE-10 Rookie of the Week accolades four times, scoring a season-high three goals in wins over Southern New Hampshire University on September 12 and Southern Connecticut State University on October 16, the latter of which she also dished out a season-high matching two assists for a season-best eight points.
Stonehill finished its 2015 season with a 14-7 record overall, including 9-3 in NE-10 play, before going on to win the program's third NE-10 Tournament crown and earn the seventh NCAA Tournament bid in program history, with a second straight appearance in the national semifinals. The Skyhawks 2016 schedule will be announced soon, with the team opening its 20th varsity season by hosting defending NCAA Division II National Champions East Stroudsburg University at W.B. Mason Stadium on Saturday, September 3, at noon. Stonehill has also been selected to host the 2016 NCAA Division II Championships, November 11-13.
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