Thursday, November 14, 2002

HELLER NAMED TO ALL-NESCAC FIELD HOCKEY SECOND TEAM

MEDFORD – Sophomore Jayme Heller (Chadds Ford, PA/Westtown School) of the Tufts University Field Hockey team was named to the 2002 All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Second Team. The All-Conference selections were announced by the NESCAC office on Wednesday (Nov. 13).

Heller, the center-back for Head Coach Carol Rappoli's Jumbos, took over for All-American Amy Polverini last year as a freshman and started all 13 games. With a year of experience, she started all 14 games this fall and earned the recognition of the conference's coaches as one of the top six backs in NESCAC.

"She's has a great stick," Rappoli said. "Once she gets the ball from an opponent, she's very composed with it. Rarely does she turn the ball over once she has possession. She's a very good distributor of the ball, too. After she makes the interception or takes the ball away from somebody she starts our attack and gets it up to the midfielder or the front line player."

Heller is also the team's striker on penalty corner opportunities.

"She's one of only a few kids on the team who can stop ball dead and get a shot off. That's very, very hard to do that on grass, and she's the best at that."

The Tufts defense allowed 20 goals in 14 games this year, a 1.37 goals against average. Heller assisted on two goals and now has three assists in her career scoring column. One of her assists this season came in a NESCAC game against Williams. The team had shutout wins over NESCAC opponents Amherst, Connecticut College and Wesleyan.

The Jumbos finished 4-10 overall and 3-6 in NESCAC for eighth place. They had difficulty scoring goals, with just 10 in 14 goals. Heller is part of a young group of players who hope to lead the program back into the NESCAC picture after two straight losing seasons.

"She's a kid you can play in a number of different positions on the field," Rappoli said. "It's hard for a freshman to take over for an All-American, but now as a sophomore she has taken over that role."

2002 All-NESCAC Field Hockey Teams

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