ITHACA, N.Y. – Krysten Mayers and Marisa Siergiej were named offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively, when head coach Donna Hornibrook handed out the 2014 field hockey team awards at the program's annual banquet on Saturday morning at the Hall of Fame Room in Friends Hall on the Cornell campus.
 
For her efforts, Siergiej was also given the team's Sportsmanship, Leadership and Determination Award.
 
Additional award winners were: Katie Carlson and Luisa Schulte-Bockum (co-Most Improved), Sam McILwrick (Class of '91 Cup) and Ann DiPastina (Unsung Hero).

Mayers, an honorable mention All-Ivy selection, had a breakout rookie season ranking second on the team in both goals (10) and points (21). Half of her goals came in Ivy League play, including her overtime game-winner against Columbia. She was named the conference Rookie of the Week twice during the season, becoming Cornell's first two-time winner since Hannah Balleza during the 2010 season.  She was also named the ECAC Rookie of the Week on Sept. 30 for her two-goal effort vs. the Lions. Mayers registered at least one point in eight of 15 contests, finishing the season ranked 36th in the nation in goals per game (0.67) and 61st overall in points per game (1.40).

Siergiej was named first-team Mideast Region All-American and was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection following a junior season in which she led the Big Red in goals (13), game-winning goals (three), and points (29). Siergiej finished the year ranked second in the Ivy League and 16th in the nation in goals per game (0.81). She was also fourth in the conference and 26th in the country in points per game (1.81). One of the best defenders in the Ivy League, Siergiej played nearly every minute of every game and was the anchor of a defensive unit that set a school record, allowing a mere 3.9 penalty corners per contest, while allowing opponents just 8.0 shots per game, the lowest average since the 1983 season (6.7 shots per game).

Carlson and Shulte-Bockum shared the team's most improved player award.

Carlson grew by leaps and bounds during her freshman season, seeing more and more playing time as the year went on. She registered more than 45 minutes in each of the Big Red's final four games, three of which were Ivy League contests. Carlson tallied three goals on the year, scoring against Colgate, Lehigh and Maine. 

Shulte-Bockum earned the distinction after seeing a significant increase in playing time during her second season with the team. After playing in just one game as a freshman, the sophomore defender played in all 16 games, making 14 starts this season. Shulte-Bockum was a key member of one of the best defensive units in program history and registered one defensive save against Dartmouth.

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 McILwrick, a second-team All-Ivy honoree. Siergiej's partner on the back line, McILwrick played nearly minute of every game in her rookie season. A stellar defender that registered two defensive saves on the year, she was also critical part of the Big Red's transition game, making a number of well-timed runs into the offensive end throughout the season. She finished the year with four goals, two game-winning goals, and two assists, with nine of her 10 points on the season coming during Ivy League play. McILwrick was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week and the ECAC Rookie of the Week on Nov. 11 after registering a hat trick in the Big Red's victory over Dartmouth.
 
DiPastina was awarded the team's Unsung Hero Award, as chosen by the coaching staff. An honorable mention All-Ivy selection this season, she capped an outstanding Cornell career with arguably her best season in the Red and White. An assistant captain, DiPastina finished the regular season ranked fourth in the conference and 14th in the nation with 0.69 assists per game. Her 11 helpers on the year fell one short of the school record, coming in behind teammate Taylor Standiford, who set the new standard with 12.

Cornell finished the season with an 11-5 record overall and secured a second place finish in the Ivy League with a mark of 5-2. The 11 total wins tied a school record for victories in a single season, previously set in 2008 and 2010. The squad also set a school record for points (127), giving Coach Hornibrook's teams the top four spots (126 in 2008; 123 in 2005; 111 in 2013) in Big Red history. The team also set new standards in points per game (7.94), goals (45), and assists (37) in a single-season.