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."