Field hockey freshmen named All-Ivy

All-Ivy honors were announced today in field hockey, with two Penn players being named to the award — Alex Iqbal (Second Team) and MaryRose Croddick (Honorable Mention). Both are freshmen.

Alex Iqbal started all 17 games this season and finished tied for second on the team in goals, with five. All five goals were scored in the team's final five games, including a hat trick against Appalachian State on Oct. 16. She also added two assists and was tied for second on the team in shots, with 32.

MaryRose Croddick also started all 17 games for the Quakers this year and was a part of the improved defense that allowed 20 fewer goals this season than in 2010. Before the awards were announced, coach Colleen Fink was hopeful Croddick would be considered for Ivy Rookie of the Year.

Iqbal and Croddick are two of a class of eight total freshmen on a rebuilding Penn squad. Of the team's top five scorers this year, three were freshmen (including Iqbal) and the leading scorer, Julie Tahan, is a sophomore. The team finished the season with a 4-13 record overall, 2-5 in Ivy play, but improved greatly over last season's last place Ivy finish. The team wrapped up its season this past Friday against Princeton, who claimed its 17th Ivy title in 18 years and won its opening NCAA Tournament game against Rider, 1-0, yesterday.