ITHACA, N.Y. – Catie De Stio and Kelley Kantarian shared the field hockey team's offensive MVP award, while Stephanie Sanders took home defensive MVP honors, as was announced at the team's annual banquet on Sunday afternoon. Head coach Donna Hornibrook also introduced rising seniors Kate Thompson and Sara Sanders as captains of the upcoming 2010 season.

De Stio, earning the offensive MVP award for the second straight season, led the Big Red in all offensive categories last season including goals (10), assists (8) and points (28). Following the season, she was named first-team All-Ivy, as well as a second-team Mideast Region All-American.

Kantarian earns her first offensive MVP award after being selected the team's most improved player a year ago. She was also awarded the team's Sportsmanship, Leadership and Determination award, as chosen by coaching staff. Kantarian finished the 2009 season ranked second on the team in goals (6) and points (13) and was tied for first overall with three game-winning goals.

Stephanie Sanders earned the team's defensive MVP award after a solid season on the Big Red's back line. The best tackler on the squad, she gave up the fewest penalty corners on a defensive unit that allowed an average of just 5.2 penalty corners per game. Sanders was the anchor of a defense that allowed just over 11 shots per game and was also an important member of the penalty corner defense.

Sophomore Olivia Boyd was named the team's most improved player, earning the distinction after seeing a significant increase in playing time during her second season with the team. Boyd finished the year with three goals, including the game-winner in the second overtime of the Columbia game.

The Class of '91 Cup, which is chosen by the senior class and given annually to the player with the most promising future, was awarded to Genna Collins. The rookie midfielder started all 15 games on the season for the Big Red and registered her first career goal in a 4-0 victory over Siena.

This year also saw the addition of three new team awards – the Hustle Award, the Unsung Hero Award and the Team First Award – created as a way to recognize the valuable contributions of players whose achievements might otherwise go unrecognized because their contributions are not easily measured statistically.

Thompson, who was also announced as team captain, was awarded the Hustle Award. One of the hardest workers and well-rounded players in the program, Thompson is a multi-faceted weapon with excellent one-on-one skills and the ability to shut down an opposing team's center midfielder. Offensively, she finished the year with two goals and two assists for six points.

“Kate was selected as a team captain because she has distinguished herself as a positive leader both on the field and in the classroom,” said Hornibrook. “In addition to being an All-Ivy League midfielder, she has also been named to the NFHCA All-Academic Squad and was an Academic All-Ivy selection. She plays with a passion and her work ethic is contagious. She is an excellent role model for our younger players.”

The Unsung Hero Award went to Mattie Prodanovic, a two-year starter on defense. A player with great field hockey sense, she finished the year with two goals, including the game-winner in the final moments of the Colgate game. A key member of the penalty corner unit, she finished the year ranked second on the team with four assists.
Sara Sanders, who was also named a team captain, shared the Team First award with Katie Kirnan.

Sara Sanders was an instrumental part of the Big Red defensive unit, starting all but one game during the 2009 season. Like her twin sister Stephanie, she is a solid defender on a unit that allowed its opponents an average of just 5.2 penalty corners per game and just over 11 shots per game.

“Sara has emerged as one of the top defensive players in our program,” said Hornibrook. “She is a team player with an unquestionable work ethic who quietly leads by example. In addition to her excellent play she has become one of the team leaders in conditioning and sets a high standard with her unselfish commitment to the team.”

Kirnan, a three-time selection to the NFHCA All-Academic Squad, had a solid senior campaign, starting all 15 games for the Big Red and scoring four goals to go along with one assist. An extremely hard worker and co-captain of the 2009 squad, she capped her senior year in style, scoring the game-winning goal in Cornell's last game of the season, a 1-0 victory over Dartmouth.

Cornell finished the season with a 10-5 record overall and tied for third in the Ivy League with a mark of 4-3 in conference play. The Big Red finished with a .500+ record in the Ivy League for the fifth straight season, the most consecutive winning seasons in program history, as well as 10 or more wins in four of Coach Hornibrook's six years with the team.