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Posted: Nov 07, 2023

Melanie Mason Named Defensive Player of the Year/ Four Vikings Earn All-MASCAC Recognition

Melanie Mason Named Defensive Player of the Year/ Four Vikings Earn All-MASCAC Recognition

SALEM, Mass. - Midfielder Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass.) was named the 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Defensive Player of the Year and highlights four Vikings on the 2023 All-MASCAC Field Hockey Team. Joinging Mason on the first team are Mikayla Mason (Beverly, Mass.) while defenseman Aleena Frith  (Pepperell, Mass.) and goalie Izzy Mosley (Middleborough, Mass.) were named to the second team.   

Melanie Mason, a tri-captain, and two-time All Little East All-Conference selection, was the league's top defender this season. A complete player, her versatility flourished as she compiled eight goals with a pair of assists for 18 points this year, in addition to leading the Vikings' defense. Her eight goals ranked eighth in the league. Mason ends her career in the top-three all-time at Salem State in goals (24), points (60) and is tied for fifth in assists (12). Tri-captain Mikayla Mason was one of the league's top forwards, leading Salem State with 21 points (8g, 5a). The two-time LEC selection placed in the top-10 in the MASCAC in goals, assists and points in 2023. Her 65 career points are the most by a Salem State player since 1987, while ranking in the top-three in goals (24) and assists (17). Frith a sophomore is making her first appearance on the all-conference team. She developed into one of the league's best defenders this year, playing a significant role on the Vikings' backline. Freshman Mosley established herself as one of the MASCAC's best keepers in her first season. Starting in all 18 games, she led the league in saves with 164, finishing in the top-10 nationally in Division III.   

Grabbing the first-ever Offensive Player of the Year honors, Grace Adams, a senior from Leominster, Mass., led the Lancers to the regular season title and the tournament crown. She finished the season first in the conference in goals with 19 and points with 45. She also tallied seven assists and four game-winners. Six times this season she tallied two or more goals, including three conference wins where she netted a hat trick.
 
After a stellar first year with the Rams, Ashley Malmquist was selected as the 2023 Rookie of the Year. The freshman from Medfield, Mass., recorded 13 goals and six assists for 32 points on 75 shots, all within the top three of the conference. She also helped the Rams to two wins with her game-winning tallies and in two games, she found the back of the net twice. 
 
After leading the Rams to the third seed in the tournament and a spot in the championship game, Allie Lucenta of Framingham State was voted the 2023 BSN Sports Field Hockey Coach of the Year by her peers.
 
Sitting on the MASCAC First Team with Adams, Mason and Malmquist are Jenna Morse and Sophia Yates of Fitchburg State, Isabella Kondi and Corinne Lawson of Framingham State, Mikayla Mason of Salem State, Morgan Wichmann of Westfield State and Megan Goodwin and Allison Keenan of Worcester State.
 
Earning a spot on the 2023 MASCAC Second Team are Lexi James and Erin Power of Bridgewater State, Alexis Raymond and Autumn Tibbetts of Fitchburg State, Brandi Core of Framingham State, Frith and Mosley of Salem State, Bre Foley and Emily Martin of Westfield State and Zoe Athanasopoulos and Madison Avilla of Worcester State.