Pernicano, Rijpma Named To All-Region Team
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 14, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State duo of Ashley Pernicano and Floor Rijpma continue to collect awards as the 2006 season comes to a close, with selection to the 2006 NFHCA West Region Second Team. The pair joins 14 other second team members from the region as announced by the coaches association on Monday. Pernicano and Rijpma were also members of the 2006 All-Big Ten Second Team.
"It is exciting to see that coaches have recognized members of a young Spartan squad," said MSU head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof. "Having a senior and a freshman named to the all-regional team shows that we are on the right track for the future."
Senior co-captain Ashley Pernicano closed out her career at MSU with 57 points on 22 goals and 13 assists. In her final season, Pernicano doubled the number of goals scored in her first three seasons combined (11), emerging as the team's leading scorer. She also recorded her first career hat trick against Yale on Sept. 14. Pernicano ended the 2006 season with 11 goals and five assists.
"A.P. (Ashley Pernicano) came into the season as the lone senior with three years of previous experience," said Van de Kerkhof. "We looked to her as a leader in playmaking as well goal production, and she lived up to the challenge and team need. She was unselfish in her role as a playmaker, putting several of her teammates in position to score goals that she otherwise would have scored, which made her totals half of what they could have been."
Freshman midfielder Floor Rijpma joins Pernicano on the West Region Second Team. Her 15 points (six goals, three assists) put her third on the team in scoring. In her first season in Green and White, Rijpma led the team in game-winning goals, shots taken and shots on goal.
"That Floor has been recognized now shows that she caught the eye of a lot of coaches," said Van de Kerkhof. "Next year we will count on her to do better things for MSU and become even more of a threat and a leader."
