Sheridan Blaha Voted GNAC Field Hockey Rookie of Year

WINTHROP, Mass. – Capping a record-breaking season, Sheridan Blaha (Waltham, Mass.) has been voted the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Field Hockey Rookie of the Year as well as Second Team All-GNAC by the league coaches, as results of their voting for the postseason awards were released Tuesday by the conference office.

Blaha started all 19 matches for the Pride this season, scoring 17 goals and adding an assist for 35 total points. She broke the Regis single-season goals record of 13 goals set by Aineen Callahan in 2016 as well as the single-season points record of 26 points first established by Caitlin Connolly in 2004 and matched by Callahan in 2016.

The freshman forward made an immediate impact for the Pride, scoring the team's first goal of the season on a penalty stroke at Becker Sept. 3. She scored four goals against Framingham State Sept. 11 and at Dean Oct. 2. Blaha also scored a goal in six consecutive matches, including the only goal of the contest in Regis' 1-0 victories over Rivier Oct. 24 and at Anna Maria Nov. 2.

Senior tri-captain Sidney Lowe (Lancaster, Mass.) was named Regis' representative on the GNAC Field Hockey All-Sportsmanship Team. Lowe appeared in 15 matches, including 13 starts, during the 2019 campaign, earning an assist in the Pride's 4-0 win over Albertus Magnus and scoring the insurance goal to cap Regis' 4-2 victory at Johnson & Wales.

"An admired leader among the team, Sidney contributed positivity and hard work ethic to the field hockey program. Her 'team first' mentality brought ease to her teammates and allowed them to thrive in a competitive atmosphere. Sidney led by example and brought great sportsmanship to the team," head coach Annie Villare said.

Also, as a result of their performances in the GNAC Tournament, freshman midfielder Amelia Thomas (Hopkinton, N.H.) and junior goalkeeper Hope Winkin (Winslow, Maine) were named to the All-Tournament Team. 

Regis won five consecutive matches, including its first round contest in the GNAC Tournament, as it posted an 8-11 overall record, including a 4-4 league mark to finish in a tie for third place in the regular season conference standings.