With post-season conference tournaments taking place this past weekend, USA Field Hockey is highlighting each conference champion in Division II.
Division II Conference Winners:
Northeast-10 Conference
Adelphi University
Photo Credit: Adelphi Athletics/Brian Foley
In a tournament full of upsets, No. 4 seed Adelphi defeated No. 7 seed Pace to secure the Northeast-10 (NE-10) trophy for the first-time in program history. A pair of goals from graduate student Kaylee Deleva propelled the Panthers to their 2-1 victory over the Setters. Deleva was named MVP of the tournament, while Giana McKeough and Kylie Peregoy were also honored on the All-Championship Team.
To get to the NE10 Final, Adelphi (13-8) had upset No. 1 seed Saint Anselm, 2-1, in double overtime.
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
East Stroudsburg University
Photo Credit: ESU Athletics/Juliette Phillips
No. 4 seed East Stroudsburg pulled off the upset over No. 3 Millersville to claim the title of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champion for the first time since 2019.
After upsetting No. 1 seed Kutztown, 2-0, the Warriors took down Millersville in overtime by a score of 3-2. It was Morgan Mesenbrink who tallied the game-winner in extra time – diving to tip in a cross from Jady van Gils. Mesenbrink was honored as the PSAC Tournament MVP.
This was East Stroudsburg’s sixth time appearing in the conference final and their third all-time title. The Warriors will await selection for the NCAA postseason tournament – with the odds in their favor after winning the PSAC Title. East Stroudsburg was the most recent team other than powerhouses Shippensburg and West Chester to win the NCAA Championship, taking the crown back in 2015.
South Athletic Conference
Converse University
Photo Credit: Converse Athletics/John Byrum
Converse, with a sterling 17-2 record, continued their dream season with a South Athletic Conference (SAC) Title after defeating Mount Olive, 2-1, in overtime. The championship is the second all-time for the Valkyries, who have now claimed back-to-back SAC Trophies. The win also set their program record for most wins in a single season at 17.
Sophomore Catalina Pistaccio netted the game winning goal in the second minute of overtime – her fourth of the tournament – and was named the SAC Tournament MVP. The victory will mark the conclusion of the Valkyries’ 2022 campaign.