WESTFIELD STATE'S WOLSKI SELECTED TO PLAY IN NFHCA ALL-STAR GAME
Megan Wolski was a standout high-scoring field hockey
player for Westfield State the past four years.
A three-time conference player of the year and the college's
all-time leader scorer, Wolski's outstanding accomplishments have
been recognized nationally as she has been selected to play in the
National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III
Senior All-Star Game.
The Plymouth, Massachusetts native will square off against the best
seniors in the country on Saturday morning, Nov. 17, at Ursinus
College just outside of Philadelphia. She is the only player from
the 12 state colleges in New England invited to play in the
all-star contest, which will be held prior to the NCAA Division III
national championship game.
"Megan is very deserving of the honor," said Westfield State
veteran head coach Heather Cabral. "She has
represented Westfield State College well the past four years, both
on and off the playing field."
Cabral knows a bit about the history of Westfield State field
hockey. The 1992 Westfield State graduate was the conference player
of the year during her senior season and held school records for
career points and goals scored before Wolski came along.
Wolski broke Cabral's records near the end of her junior season.
She finished her stellar four-year career with 139 points, 40 more
points than Cabral amassed. Wolski scored 60 goals and also ranks
fourth on the all-time assists list with 19.
"Megan is definitely deserving of the honor (all-time leading
scorer) and I'm just glad I got to coach the person who broke my
record," said Cabral.
Cabral attributes Wolski's work ethic and athleticism as reasons
the sturdy 5-9 forward is the No. 1 scorer in WSC history.
"First of all, Megan is very intimidating physically," said Cabral.
"She is tall and muscular and doesn't let herself get pushed
around. She is great on the goalies' pads and puts back a lot of
rebounds. Megan also has a nose for the goal; she goes after the
loose ball and makes something happen inside the circle.
"Megan gives 110 percent every practice and game," Cabral
continued. "She dives for loose balls and never gives up on a ball
going out of bounds. Megan led by example on the field and set the
bar high for her teammates."
Wolski's skills were first noticed during her freshman year when
she scored eight goals. There was no sophomore slump as she racked
up 50 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 2005 and was named
Massachusetts State College Athletics Conference Player of the
Year.
"I knew Megan had the potential to be good," said Cabral. "I
watched her game tapes she sent me and I liked the hustle and her
nose for the goal. Her coachability really helped her get to where
she is now. She was open to suggestions and worked really hard to
adjust to the college game."
Her 12 assists in 2005 is a single-season school record. She scored
40 points (18 goals, 4 assists) her junior year and 33 points (15
goals, 3 assists) this season.
"Megan is a very coachable athlete who does whatever is asked of
her," said Cabral. "As an example, this year she moved from left
wing, where she started the past three years, to center forward.
She also changed her position on offensive corners. Not many
players would have been willing to try new things their senior
year."
