Rowan's Palumbo, Herman and Gray Receive Top NJAC Field Hockey Awards
Saturday, November 09, 2024
Rowan was also named the Coaching Staff of the Year, marking the fourth time that head coach Michelle Andre has been recognized with the top coaching award, along with her staff of Kristiina Castagnola, Erin Small, Danielle Altersitz and Garnell Peters. #25 Rowan (13-7; 6-0 NJAC) won its fourth-straight conference regular-season title and owns a nine-game winning streak as it plays for the NJAC Championship this weekend.
Palumbo (Mantua, NJ/Clearview Regional), in her first season at Rowan, is named to the All-Conference First Team for the third time as she earned it twice while at Stockton. The senior led the Profs in scoring with 14 goals and six assists (34 points) and had six game-winning goals on the year, including the one in overtime that defeated #2 Salisbury. The14th player in school history to be named the top midfielder, Palumbo recorded two goals in a game six times.
Herman (Berlin, NJ/Eastern Regional) becomes the 12th player in Rowan history to be named the top defender and the second consecutive Prof to do so. An All-Conference First Team choice for the second time, she was the centerpiece of Rowan’s defense that limited its foes to 32 goals in 19 games, and just three in the current nine-game winning streak. The junior captain also accounted for three goals and an assist, and one game-winning goal.
Gray (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) made an immediate impact in her first season at Rowan, posting 11 goals and six assists (28) to rank second on the team in scoring. The three-time NJAC Rookie of the Week had four multiple-goal games this season along with two gamewinners.
Ronning (Marlton,NJ/Cherokee), a junior, was the team’s third leading scorer (5 goals, 4 assists) in her first season at Rowan. The midfielder tallied one game-winning goal and converted 3-of-3 penalty strokes, including those in victories over TCNJ and #2 Salisbury.
Merrick (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg), also in her first season with the Profs, recorded five goals and handed out an assist total 11 points. The sophomore forward was credited with two game-winning goals on the season.
The Profs play for the NJAC Championship on Saturday, when they host TCNJ at 6 p.m. Rowan is seeking its fourth straight title and the 11th in the program’s history. The winner receives the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.