Four Eagles Named Landmark All-Conference

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata field hockey placed four Eagles on Landmark All-Conference teams.  Junior Emma Dahmus (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) received the only first-team nod, while freshman Sarah Bilheimer (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) and seniors Caroline Phillips (Wilmington, Del./Concord) and Jill McNeish (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) earned second-team.  Phillips, Dahmus and Bilheimer were the Eagles goals and points leaders for the 2012 season.

"Caroline, Jill and Emma have been the most consistent seasoned performers for us over the course of the season," said Head Coach Caroline Gillich.  "This trio of upperclassmen also combined to generate many of our attack goals on offensive corners. Sarah is the new kid on the block, and has really come into the college game with a lot to offer."

This is Dahmus' second all-conference award.  She led the team with six assists and finished second in goals (8) and points (22).  She was named Landmark Conference offensive player of the week (Oct. 22) after recording the first hat trick of her career in the Eagles 5-4 upset of Landmark rival Drew (Oct. 20).

Phillips and McNeish earned all-conference honors for the first time in their careers.  Phillips led the team in goals (11) and points (24).  Gillich says "Caroline's tenacity on the field is a catalyst to making things happen."  She scored two goals in five games and finished the season with a .603 shot-on-goal percentage.  Phillips was named conference offensive player of the week (Oct. 29) after scoring four goals in two games to help Juniata to a 2-0 finish.

McNeish appeared in all 18 of the Eagles games, scoring two goals and assisting on two others.  "Jill is a steady defender that we can count on to come up with strong tackles and get the ball back on attack," added Gillich.  The defender helped lead Juniata to four shutout wins and a three-game win streak to end the season.

Gillich describes Bilheimer as a "stellar ball handler with great speed.  She is more likely to pass it off to the open teammate when available, and proved she is more than capable to take it herself when needed.  She's lethal on offense and is great at picking the opponents pocket with timing, speed and a great reach on defense."

Bilheimer was the Eagles third leading scorer.  She finished secondon the team in assists (5) and third in goals (6).

Click here for the complete all-conference team.

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