LINKS: NFHCA Scholars of Distinction Release

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Three members of the Albertus Magnus College field hockey team were named 2019 ZAG Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Scholars of Distinction, as announced by the association on Wednesday.

Sophomore Gillian Kashuba (Hamden, Conn.), and freshmen Ariana Martin (Hamden, Conn.) and Lillian Woods (New London, N.H.) today became the first Falcons to receive this honor from the NFHCA. The Albertus trio were three of just 321 student-athletes recognized in 2019. To make today's list, student-athletes must have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2019-20 academic year.

In her first full season with the Falcons, Kashuba appeared in 11 games with seven starts as a forward. The Hamden, Conn., native started in Albertus' first-ever win, a 2-0 shutout of Dean College on Sept. 18.

In her first collegiate season, Martin shined both on and off the field. In addition to receiving today's academic recognition, Martin paced the Falcons with five points and two goals. The product of Hamden, Conn., scored both goals in Albertus' victory over Dean, becoming the first player in program history to record a multi-goal game. She was one of just three Falcons to start all 13 games on the season.

As a rookie, Woods started in 11 of 12 appearances as a midfielder for Albertus. She was one of just five freshmen to make 10-or-more starts in the 2019 campaign.

In its second varsity campaign, Albertus finished with a 1-12 overall record with the aforementioned win over Dean. The Falcons posted new program records with four goals, 31 shots and 24 penalty corners.