Drexel University Athletics
Zelenak, Van Hellemont and Elsen Receive Major Conference Awards; Four Dragons Named to All-Conference Teams
11/7/2024 2:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
RICHMOND, VA. – Drexel Field Hockey was well represented in CAA postseason honors as Denise Zelenak earned CAA Coach of the Year, Valentine Van Hellemont was Player of the Year and Pien Elsen was selected as Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, Van Hellemont and Elsen were both named to the All-CAA First Team alongside Anna Castaldo. Alana Poole was named All-CAA Second Team.
Zelenak was named CAA Coach of the Year after leading the Dragons to a perfect 6-0 mark in CAA play and the top seed in the upcoming CAA Championship. The Dragons finished 14-4 overall during the regular season. It was the second time Zelenak earned CAA Coach of the Year honors, the first coming back during the 2009 season. Zelenak recently picked up her 300th career win. She ranks in the top 10 in Division I victories among active coaches.
Valentine Van Hellemont became the first Drexel player to win CAA Player of the Year since Christina Mastropaolo did so in 2010. The sophomore followed up her CAA Rookie of the Year season from a year ago with an even better one. Van Hellemont finished the regular season leading the team in goals (11) and points (22). She is second in the CAA in goals per game (0.61). She had two hat ticks this season. Since her arrival on campus, she has been selected CAA First Team twice and was also an All-CAA Rookie Team pick last season.
Pien Elsen was named CAA Defensive Player of the year. It was the first time a Drexel player won the award since 2009 when Sofia Sanguinetti won it. Elsen has been the leader of the Drexel defense that was ranked first in the conference and 13th in the nation in goals against average (1.17). The Netherlands native also contributed offensively, scoring four goals and leading the team with five assists on the season. The sophomore was also named to the All-CAA First Team.
Joining Elsen and Van Hellemont on the All-CAA First Team was Anna Castaldo. Castaldo transferred to Drexel for her fifth year and has made a huge impact. The Endicott, N.Y., native was second on the team in goals with nine and ranks sixth in the conference in points with 20. One of those goals was a game-winner in double overtime against Wagner to give Zelenak her 300th career victory.
Alana Poole earned an All-CAA Second Team selection and All-Rookie Team. Poole, Drexel's goalie, has been outstanding since taking over in the Dragons' cage. The redshirt freshman is at the top of the CAA in win-loss percentage (third in the nation) and goals against average (fourth in the nation). Since becoming the starting goalie in Drexel's sixth game, the team has a 12-1 record.
Drexel will be the one seed going in the CAA tournament beginning this Friday at Buckley field. The Dragons face Monmouth at 12 p.m.
Zelenak was named CAA Coach of the Year after leading the Dragons to a perfect 6-0 mark in CAA play and the top seed in the upcoming CAA Championship. The Dragons finished 14-4 overall during the regular season. It was the second time Zelenak earned CAA Coach of the Year honors, the first coming back during the 2009 season. Zelenak recently picked up her 300th career win. She ranks in the top 10 in Division I victories among active coaches.
Valentine Van Hellemont became the first Drexel player to win CAA Player of the Year since Christina Mastropaolo did so in 2010. The sophomore followed up her CAA Rookie of the Year season from a year ago with an even better one. Van Hellemont finished the regular season leading the team in goals (11) and points (22). She is second in the CAA in goals per game (0.61). She had two hat ticks this season. Since her arrival on campus, she has been selected CAA First Team twice and was also an All-CAA Rookie Team pick last season.
Pien Elsen was named CAA Defensive Player of the year. It was the first time a Drexel player won the award since 2009 when Sofia Sanguinetti won it. Elsen has been the leader of the Drexel defense that was ranked first in the conference and 13th in the nation in goals against average (1.17). The Netherlands native also contributed offensively, scoring four goals and leading the team with five assists on the season. The sophomore was also named to the All-CAA First Team.
Joining Elsen and Van Hellemont on the All-CAA First Team was Anna Castaldo. Castaldo transferred to Drexel for her fifth year and has made a huge impact. The Endicott, N.Y., native was second on the team in goals with nine and ranks sixth in the conference in points with 20. One of those goals was a game-winner in double overtime against Wagner to give Zelenak her 300th career victory.
Alana Poole earned an All-CAA Second Team selection and All-Rookie Team. Poole, Drexel's goalie, has been outstanding since taking over in the Dragons' cage. The redshirt freshman is at the top of the CAA in win-loss percentage (third in the nation) and goals against average (fourth in the nation). Since becoming the starting goalie in Drexel's sixth game, the team has a 12-1 record.
Drexel will be the one seed going in the CAA tournament beginning this Friday at Buckley field. The Dragons face Monmouth at 12 p.m.
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/ Field HockeyDrexel's Autocomplete With Field Hockey Coach Denise Zelenak.
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