Spring-Ford grad, UNC field hockey player named to Junior World Cup
The University of North Carolina pulled off back-to-back upset victories over No. 1 Syracuse and No. 2 Duke last week and junior GabMajor was right inthemiddle of the action.
Major (Spring-Ford) had an assist on the first goal as the Tar Heels topped Syracuse 3-2 in double overtime on Sept. 23. She didn’t score in a 3-2 triumph over Duke on Sept. 25 but played her usual solid game in the field.
“Gab has made tremendous progress in her time here and she’s constantly developed as a player,” veteran coach Karen Shelton said. “She bringsmaturity to our front line and she’s a leader on our press. She’s definitely been instrumental to the success of our team.”
Major’s contributions were rewarded this week with a place on the U.S. roster for the 2016Women’s Junior World Cup Nov. 24-Dec. 4 in Santiago, Chile.
The final roster of 18 was announced Tuesday by Janneka Schopman, head coach of the Under-21 National Team, following evaluations this fall. UNC student-athletes on the roster are Major, Kristy Bernatchez, Ashley Hoffman, GabMajor, Lauren Moyer.
“I’m thrilled for our Tar Heels,” Shelton said. “Representing your country in international competition is such an honor. They’ve all worked so hard to earn spots on the team and I know they’re looking forward to the experience.”
The 5-foot-3 forward is second on the team in points with nine on four goals and her assist. She has a gamewinner. Major had a breakout year as a sophomore, scoring 18 goals with five game-winners.
North Carolina (8-2) was beaten 1-0 byMichigan in the seasonopener and 2-1 by Boston College on Sept. 16. The Tar Heels were ranked fifth in the country prior to the big weekend but have moved up to No. 2 behind unbeaten Connecticut in the latest poll.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder from Douglassville missed the first three games of the season but has played in seven games with three starts for the Southern Methodist men’s soccer team. He had a goal in a 3-1 loss to American in his first game back for the 4-6 Mustangs. He didn’t play last season but played in all 18 matches as a true freshman and had the game-winning goal in a victory over Duke. The senior keeper is sharing duties in goal for the Susquehanna women’s soccer team which is 6-2 overall and 1-0 in Landmark Conference play. Slocumwas named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 26) after making five saves in a 4-0 league victory overHood on Sept. 24. She is 4-2 and has given up just six goals with 20 saves with a shutout as of Sept. 30.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior is starting at defensive end for the Bucknell football team which is 1-3 after a 23-17 triple overtime loss to Virginia Military on Sept. 24. He had four tackles in that game and has 13 tackles with three for losses plus a quarterback hit. Sheldon played in 11 games as a junior and started the last five. He finished with 25 tackles, seven for losses and 3.5 sacks.
The senior defender has started all 10 games for the Temple field hockey team, the Owls 2-8 overall and 0-2 in American Athletic Conference play after a 3-2 non-league victory over Sacred Heart Sept. 25 in New Haven, Ct. Meszaroshas threedefensive saves. Red-shirt sophomore Ashley Kucera (Owen J. Roberts) has played in 10 games and started nine, also on defense for the Owls.
The 5-foot-11 sophomore is tied for the lead in points with nine for the Millersville men’s soccer team. He has four goals and an assist and had the game-winning goal in a 6-0 victory over Pitt-Johnstown on Sept. 21. He had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 victory over Bloomsburg on Sept. 7. The Marauders are 6-2-2 overall and 3-1-2 in PSAC play as of Sept. 29. Burns had four goals and three assists as a freshman.
The 5-foot-11 freshman made his debut with the Indiana University of Pa. men’s golf team, the Crimson Hawks one of the top teams in Division II. Guerrini finished tied for 11th out of 48 golfers at Gannon’s Hal Hanson Invitational Sept. 1819 in DuBois. He posted a six-overpar 150 for the two rounds posting a 74 on the first day and a 76 on the second. He was IUP’s third best finisher and helped the team finish second.
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound junior is starting in the defensive backfield for the Delaware Valley football teamwhich is 3-1 after a 20-17 loss to Albright on Sept. 24. Mayes had four tackles and three pass breakups in that game and has 11 tackles on the season. He played in 19 games his first two seasons with DelVal and had 25 tackles.
The senior is starting on defense for the Albright football team. The 5-foot11, 211-pounder has 20 tackles and a sack for the 2-2 Lions after a 20-17 victory over Delaware Valley on Sept. 24. Williams had seven tackles and a sack in that game. He had 27 tackles in 12 games as a junior after not seeing any action his first two seasons with the team.