Courtesy: Jen Goodwin Virginia Peisch

HANOVER, N.H. – At its annual team banquet, the Dartmouth field hockey team announced that junior co-captain Virginia Peisch (Koenigstein, Germany) was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player, while she and junior Claire Byrne (Rye, N.Y.) were selected as captains for next season.

Peisch continued to be a solid all-around player for Dartmouth. She posted 15 more assists this season, almost tying her own single season record of 16, which came last season. With the 31 career assists she is one away from tying the career assist mark of 32 helpers, held by Scopaz. In addition to her assists, she netted three goals this season for a career high. Peisch’s duty on the field was to be a leader for the Big Green and set up the penalty corners with the push out. She earned first team All-Ivy honors for the second-straight season. Last year she was a unanimous selection after breaking the school record for assists in a season.

She also earned Academic All-Ivy recognition last week for her efforts off the field.

The Most Improved Player was freshman Lisa Masini (Ann Arbor, Mich.), who played in all 17 games and earned 14 consecutive starts after not starting in the first three games. She posted an assist for the Big Green during the season. Freshman Liz Blanken (Short Hills, N.J.) was named the team’s Rookie of the Year and was the only freshman to play and start in all 17 games. She recorded one goal and it was the double overtime game-winner against Penn on Oct. 3 in a 2-1 win.

“Masini started off the season playing a bit here and there, but really came into her own on our defense, at a time when we needed her to step up,” said head coach Amy Fowler. “Both she and Blanken played with a poised demeanor that rivals that of any upperclassmen player, yet were rookies. Lisa’s skills and confidence seemed to improve with every practice and game, hence her teammates and staff felt she was a great choice for MIP..”

The Dorothy Leavitt Award, which is given to the team member who makes a significant contribution to the team through hard work, determination, team spirit and a sense of what it takes to be good. This year’s recipient was Byrne, who was a consistent player for the Big Green all season with 15 starts and two assists from the midfield position.

The Phil Mcinnis Award went to junior Kerry Bracco (Hampton Fall, N.H.). The award is given every year to the player who best exemplifies unconditional team support and undying spirit. Bracco missed the entire 2009 season due to an injury, but was at practice and games lending her support for her teammates all season long.

The Coaches Service Award was given to the entire Dodds family for their continued support of field hockey and all of Dartmouth athletics for many years. Senior Chelsea Dodds (Hanover, N.H.) was the lone senior on the team and has been linked to Dartmouth field hockey for many years. She spent her time at the field hockey field growing up and was a ball girl for many contests. Patti Dodds has been a major field hockey ambassador to the Upper Valley. She set up a local club team called the Upper Valley Blizzard and the team provides the opportunity to many Big Green players and assistant coaches to give back to the community.