Oley Valley grad Sophia Gladieux of Penn State a 1st-team field hockey All-American for 2nd straight year
Dec. 13—Oley Valley grad Sophia Gladieux, a junior forward at Penn State, has been named a first-team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association for the second straight year, it was announced Tuesday.
In addition, Alvernia defender Brooke Spezialetti was named a Division III third-team All-American by the NFHCA.
Gladieux, a second-team All-American in 2020, had a team-high 23 goals and three assists for 49 points in helping the Nittany Lions (17-4) reach the Final Four. She is one of eight forwards on the 16-member first team.
She was named Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-Big Ten pick, the NFHCA Mideast Regional Player of the Year and to the NCAA All-Tournament team.
Spezialetti, a graduate student, had six goals, one a game-winner, and seven assists this season for the Golden Wolves (14-7). She also had one defensive save and helped Alvernia register seven shutouts and hold the opposition to a 0.70 shot-on-goal percentage and a 1.33 goals-against average. She is one of five defenders on the 16-player third team.
She was the 2022 MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team Region V selection.
Spezialetti, a Penn Manor grad, is Alvernia's first field hockey All-American since Margaret Wentzel in 2016.
