Barker, Kociszewski Collect GNAC Field Hockey Weekly Awards
WINTHROP, Mass. – Junior Aurelia Barker (Thomaston, Conn.) and freshman Grace Kociszewski (Thomaston, Conn.) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) field hockey team collected Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) weekly awards, it was announced by the conference front office Monday afternoon in its third weekly report of the 2024 season. Barker was named the GNAC Co-Player of the Week, sharing the honor with New England College's senior Meaghan McCamish (Warwick, R.I.), while Kociszewski was tabbed the GNAC Rookie of the Week. It marked the first career weekly honor for Barker and the third for Kociszewski after she earned GNAC Player and Rookie of the Week laurels one week ago.
Barker and Kociszewski helped power the Blue Jays to a 2-0 record on the week, including a 4-3 overtime victory over non-conference opponent Sage College on the road Tuesday night and a 6-0 triumph over Anna Maria College at home on Saturday afternoon in USJ's 2024 GNAC opener.
Barker totaled a team-best seven points over the pair of wins this past week, finishing with three goals and an assist, to earn her first career GNAC weekly award. The junior found the back of the net once on Tuesday night versus Sage before erupting for two goals and an assist on Saturday versus Anna Maria. Her helper to senior teammate Maya Tomko (Sparta, N.J.) 2:20 into the game against the AMCATS served as the assist on what would stand as the game-winning goal.
The reigning GNAC Player and Rookie of the Week, Kociszewski, also had another stellar week, totaling six points over the two-game set via three goals. The standout freshman did all her damage on Tuesday night at Sage, netting her first career hat trick, including scoring the game-winning goal 1:36 into overtime. In addition to the overtime winner, Kociszewski found the back of the net 13 seconds into the third quarter to tie the game, 1-1, and 3:24 into the fourth quarter to build a 3-1 USJ lead.
The duo leads USJ's offense through the first six games of the 2024 season which sees the Blue Jays' record stand at 4-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Kociszewski currently paces Saint Joseph - and the GNAC - with a team-high 18 points on eight goals and two assists, while Barker is tied for second on the squad in points with nine via three goals and three assists.
UP NEXT
Barker, Kociszewski and the Blue Jays return to action on Wednesday, September 18 for a GNAC game on the road against Simmons University. The action between the Blue Jays and Sharks is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. at Daly Field in Brighton, Mass.
FOLLOW
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph Athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays