Tilton named Scholar-Athlete of the Year; Donnelly earns Academic All-PL
11/2/2011 7:58:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Two Lehigh field hockey seniors were recognized by the Patriot League on Wednesday as Abby Tilton and Caitlin Donnelly cracked the Academic All-Patriot League team, while Tilton was also named Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The seniors earn postseason academic honors for the second straight season after garnering Academic All-Patriot League a year ago.
Tilton has enjoyed a breakout season on the field, while continuing to excel in the classroom. The Franklin, N.J. native owns a 3.88 GPA as an IDEAS major (Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Sciences). That includes concentrations in Mechanical Engineering and Product Design. Tilton's numerous academic accolades include: Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Dean's List, NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad and much more. Tilton is the program's first Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year since Sheila Clabby in 2004.
On the field, Tilton has turned it up as well, shattering career highs by posting 17 points (second on the team) behind six goals and a team-leading five assists. One highlight came against La Salle when she recorded five points (two goals, one assist), including the game-winning goal as part of a dramatic 4-3 overtime win. Tilton also scored the game's only goal in a big 1-0 Patriot League win over Bucknell while scoring in a 2-1 win over Colgate and 3-1 victory at Holy Cross.
Donnelly was recognized for the second-straight season on the Academic All-Patriot League Team, owning a strong 3.80 GPA as a Global Studies major and Business minor. A member of the Dean's List, Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad, Donnelly has 13 points on the season (five goals, three assists) led by a season-high three in the regular season finale at Holy Cross.
A local product, Donnelly was also named a First Team All-Patriot League honoree in 2010 after posting 14 points via seven goals. This season, Donnelly has scored against Georgetown, Quinnipiac, Cornell, Penn and Holy Cross, while also recording her first-career assists: vs. La Salle, Colgate and at Holy Cross. In addition to her work on the field and in the classroom, Donnelly is heavily involved in community service off the field, as COACH (Community Outreach by Athletes who Care about Helping) Co-Chair.
Donnelly and Tilton have helped lead the Mountain Hawks to their second Patriot League Tournament berth in the last three years. Third-seeded Lehigh continues hard at work in preparation for the Patriot League Semifinals against on Friday (2 p.m.) against Lafayette. That follows fourth-seeded Bucknell against host American at 11 a.m. Check back to Lehighsports.com for a complete tournament preview.
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