Nicola Pluta Named 2016 ACC Freshman of the Year
11/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeHockey)
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Freshman forward Nicola Pluta of Wake Forest field hockey has been named ACC Freshman of the Year, as announced by the league office Wednesday as part of the ACC's All-Conference honors.
The Moenchengladbach, Germany, native finished the regular season with 17 goals and 40 points, both of which led the league. Pluta tied for the league lead with six goals in conference play. From Sept. 2 to Sept. 18, she scored at least one goal in five consecutive games.
"'Iki' has continued to improve as the season has progressed," said head coach Jennifer Averill. "She is a very gifted young player full of potential. She joins a very exclusive group of talented women that we as ACC coaches get to coach. We are thrilled beyond words for her."
Pluta is the first Demon Deacon to be named ACC Freshman of the Year since Anna Kozninuk in 2011.
In addition to the Freshman of the Year accolade, Pluta was named to the 2016 All-ACC Field Hockey First Team.
No. 19 Wake Forest field hockey team is the No. 7 seed in the ACC Tournament and will take on the No. 2 seed Syracuse in the quarterfinals on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m. The tournament will be played at Wake Forest's Kentner Stadium.
2016 ACC Field Hockey Individual Honors
Offensive Player of the Year – Tara Vittese, Virginia
Defensive Player of the Year – Julia Young, North Carolina
Freshman of the Year – Nicola Pluta, Wake Forest
Coach of the Year – Pam Bustin, Duke
2016 All-ACC Field Hockey Teams First Team
Alyssa Chillano, Jr., D, Duke
Heather Morris, Sr., F, Duke
Ayeisha McFerran, So., GK, Louisville
Julia Young, Sr., D, North Carolina
Emma Bozek, Sr., F, North Carolina
Lauren Moyer, Sr., F, North Carolina
Lies Lagerweij, Jr., D, Syracuse
Roos Weers, So., D, Syracuse
Laura Hurff, Jr., M, Syracuse
Tara Vittese, Jr., M, Virginia
Lucy Hyams, Sr., M, Virginia
Nicola Pluta, Fr., F, Wake Forest
Second Team
Audra Hampsch, Sr., GK, Boston College
Emily McCoy, Sr., M, Boston College
Frederique Haverhals, So., D, Boston College
Ymke Rose Gote, So., M, Boston College
Aisling Naughton, Gr., F, Duke
Erin McCrudden, Sr., M, Louisville
Nicole Woods, Jr., F, Louisville
Lizzie Gittens, Gr., D, Louisville
Minout Mink, Fr., F, Louisville
Eva van't Hoog, So., M, North Carolina
Malin Evert, So., M, North Carolina
