NORTON, MA- Four Wheaton College field hockey players picked up all-region accolades from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), as senior co-captain Alisa Ardito (Branford, CT/Branford) and junior co-captain Alex Block (Saratoga, CA/Saratoga) were selected to the New England East Region first team.

Junior Andrea Bagley (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) and freshman Cara Cusson (Ashfield, MA/Mohawk Trail Regional) earned second-team accolades for the first time in their careers. Cusson became the first Lyon freshman since 2002 to garner all-region honors. Ardito collected NFHCA All-New England laurels for the third straight fall, placing on the first team for the second consecutive time, while Block drew her initial award.

Wheaton was one of only four schools to place at least four players on the teams, joining New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) powers Springfield College and Wellesley College and non-league member New England College.

Ardito, who completed her career first in program history in assists (33) and games (82) and third in goals (28) and points (89), turned in another stellar season from her forward spot. She was first on the team with a program-record-tying 11 assists and 23 points while tying for second with six goals and two game-winners. Playing a hand in 17 of the team's 33 markers, Ardito registered at least one point in 11 of 19 games.

Block paced the Lyons with seven goals while bolstering the midfield, as Wheaton finished second during NEWMAC play in goals allowed (7) and goals against average (0.83). She scored in six different games while posting the lone goal at Wesleyan University. Block tallied twice in a 2-1 win at Salve Regina University and had a defensive save against then-top-ranked Bowdoin College.

Bagley had a breakout fall during her initial season as a starter, finishing fourth in Wheaton history in wins and minutes and tied for fifth in shutouts as the team's lone keeper. She posted a 1.59 GAA with five shutouts while leading the league in save percentage (.823) and tying for first in shutouts. Bagley surrendered no more than a goal 12 times, including against six NEWMAC teams.

Cusson totaled six goals, including four game-winners, in 19 starts. Tying for the conference lead with three game-winners in league play, Cusson's tally with 51 seconds left gave Wheaton an October 7 win at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). She added a 99th-minute marker on October 18 against Clark University and turned in the winner versus Smith College on October 25.

Wheaton finished the season's second half strong, going 8-2 after a 4-5 start for a 12-7 record, including a program-best six-game winning streak against conference teams. Advancing to their third straight league tournament semifinal for the first time, the Lyons tied for second in the NEWMAC's regular season standings at 6-2, as their six conference wins matched a program high.