CLEVELAND, Ohio (Nov. 11) – A pair of sophomore standouts,
Emma Gebhart and
Tabitha Chandler, highlighted the Denison University's representation on the 2024 All-North Coast Athletic Conference Field Hockey Teams as major award winners. Five members of the squad were recognized overall when the NCAC announced the honorees on Monday.
Gebhart is the first Denison athlete to win NCAC Offensive Player of the Year since Jenny Lacey took the honor in 2005. This is the eighth time that Denison has received the NCAC Offensive Player of the Year honor.
At the conclusion of the regular season, Gebhart ranked 13th in goals per game (1.00) and 15th among points per game (2.36) among all Division III players. The sophomore earns her first All-NCAC certificate, making her first appearance on the top team. Gebhart led the league in goals (15), points (35) and shots (78), while tying for second in game-winning goals (4), ranking second in shots on goal (50) and tying for third in assists (5). In league action, the midfielder led the conference with 59 shots, 12 goals and 28 points. Gebhart recorded four multi-goal games including her first collegiate hat trick in an eight-point effort in a 5-0 win over Washington & Jefferson on Nov. 2. She had four game-winning goals this season including an overtime winner at Wittenberg on Oct. 22. Gebhart earned NCAC Field Hockey Athlete of the Week twice this season.
Chandler earns Denison its second-consecutive and seventh overall NCAC Defensive Player of the Year recognition. The sophomore elevated to the top team after claiming second-team laurels a season ago. The sophomore helped lead the Big Red to a near-perfect 9-1 mark in NCAC play, which qualified the team for their 15th-straight appearance in the NCAC Tournament. The defender anchored a Denison backline that allowed a league-low five goals through 10 conference games to post a miniscule 0.50 goals-against-average and six shutouts. Chandler and the Big Red defense allowed no more than four shots on goal in nine of the ten NCAC games, including holding opponents to no more than two shots in four conference matchups. In addition to her defensive work, Chandler notched a pair of goals, including a game-winning score in an NCAC semifinals win over Wittenberg.
In total, five members of the Big Red earned All-NCAC recognition. For a third-straight year,
Rachel Gilio found herself on the Second Team. Joining her were sophomores
Lila Smith and
Reilly Desmond.
Desmond enjoyed a breakout season to pick up her first All-NCAC honor. The sophomore scored nine goals and added an assist. The nine goals ranked in a tie for second most on the team and is tied for seventh most in the conference. Desmond registered her first collegiate hat trick in a 5-0 win at Earlham on Oct. 26.
Gilio becomes the first Denison field hockey player to earn All-NCAC honors in her first three seasons since Lucy Pearsall did so in 2015-17. Gilio, a team captain, helped Denison record six shutout victories in 2024. Gilio also added a pair of assists.
Smith picks up her first All-NCAC honor after putting together a strong offensive season. The sophomore finished with nine goals and two assists during the regular season. Smith recorded a hat trick in a 6-0 win over Wooster on Sept. 18. Smith had three game-winning goals during the fall season.
Denison finished the regular season at 10-6 overall and 9-1 in NCAC play to secure the number two seed in the 2024 NCAC Tournament. The Big Red finished as regular season co-champs as they collected their first league crown since 2019. This year's title brings their total to a league-leading 13 championships.
2024 All-NCAC Teams and Award Winners
Emma Gebhart – Offensive Player of the Year, First Team
Tabitha Chandler – Defensive Player of the Year, First Team
Reilly Desmond – Second Team
Rachel Gilio – Second Team
Lila Smith – Second Team
