The California field hockey team had two student-athletes earn All-ACC honors, including the ACC Freshman of the Year award to Liz Klompmaker, the conference announced Monday.
 
Klompmaker cemented herself in the history books after being named the conference's top freshman while also being named to the All-ACC First Team. Graduate student Canisha van Duyn was named to the All-ACC Second Team in her lone season at Cal. Over the last 43 years, the Bears have had at least two student-athletes receive all-conference accolades in each season.
 
"These two play the game at the top level every time they step on the field. A dynamic duo." Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead said.
 
Since 1980 when Cal was a member of the NorPac Conference, Klompmaker is now the sixth student-athlete in program history to earn rookie/freshman of the year honors and the first in the Atlantic Coast Conference. After starting every game this season as a true freshman, she finished the regular season tied for second in the conference in goals (15) and game-winning goals (5), second in shots on goal (45) and fourth in points (31), while leading the team in each category. Klompmaker scored at least two goals and tallied at least six points in six games this season. She was also the only Bear this season to secure a weekly conference honor after being named the Offensive Player of the Week last Tuesday.
 
"Liz obviously has a specialty skill in her drag flick and has not backed down from the pressure that brings in expectations. However, her athleticism brings her power and speed to the attack, and she has been a challenge for teams to defend," Onstead said. "I am happy for her to get this recognition from the conference."
 
Van Duyn totaled 17 points, 11 assists, seven defensive saves and three goals during the regular season. Her seven defensive saves lead the conference and she is tied for second in assists. Van Duyn has recorded at least two assists in three games this season while securing at least two defensive saves on two occasions.
 
"Canisha is truly a complete hockey player," Onstead said. "She sees the entire field and has a tremendous impact on both the offense and the defense. She is our leader on the field and certainly one of the best midfielders in the ACC.
 
Cal will begin postseason play on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the ACC Championship against the top-seeded and regular season ACC champion North Carolina. The Bears are the No. 8 seed.