GLASSBORO NJ – Rowan standout Kristiina Castagnola was named the 2022 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year, putting a finishing touch on a long list of accomplishments that have solidified her status as one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history. And by reaching the pinnacle as the top player in NCAA Division III, Castagnola has earned a Special Achievement award from the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association and will be honored at the organization’s 118th Annual Banquet on Monday, January 23.
Castagnola will be among a number of professional and collegiate sports honorees at the dinner, joining the Phillies’ Rob Thomson and Alec Bohm, Tyrese Maxey of the Sixers, Tony DeAngelo of the Flyers and former Villanova coach Jay Wright, to name just a few. Tickets are available for the dinner to be held at the DoubleTree Cherry Hill, with a reception beginning at 5 p.m. followed by the 6 p.m. dinner –
She became the first female athlete in Rowan history to win the nation’s top player award, and just the second Prof athlete ever to earn their sport’s top honor. The three-time All-American was the catalyst for third-ranked Rowan, which went 21-2, made its second straight appearance in the NCAA Semifinals and won back-to-back conference championships.
Often the focus of the opponent’s game plan, Castagnola totaled a career-best 52 points this season, with 21 goals and 10 assists, and six game-winning goals. The team co-captain was chosen the NFHCA Region IV Player of the Year and the NJAC Midfielder of the Year for the second time each, and made her fourth appearances on the All-Region and All-NJAC squads.
The native of Voorhees, NJ, is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 66 goals and 31 assists and was undoubtedly instrumental in Rowan’s success as the Profs went 76-11, with three NCAA Semifinal berths and three NJAC titles in her four years.
She has also been named one of 11 finalists for the prestigious DIII Honda Athlete of the Year award, which will be selected in June.
