Melanie Kusakavitch of Pittston Tabbed to 2016 Preseason All-CAA Field Hockey Team

2016 Sep 6

Melanie Kusakavitch of Pittston was named to the 2016 Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association field hockey team for her play with James Madison University field hockey.

JMU juniors Hannah Hall, Sara Kraeutler and Melanie Kusakavitch were all named to the preseason All-CAA squad while sophomore Melissa Wilken garnered honorable mention. The Dukes, who went 14-6 last year with a 6-0 regular-season mark against CAA foes, tied the Blue Hens for the most honorees on the preseason team.

Kusakavitch appeared in all 20 games for the Dukes in 2015, getting the start in 17. She posted 15 points for JMU off five goals and five assists. She is a two-time NFHCA All-Academic and a CAA All-Academic selection.

In a vote by the league's head coaches, James Madison field hockey was picked to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association this season. The Dukes earned three first-place votes and tallied 32 total points, just behind the four first-place votes and 34 points garnered by defending CAA champion Delaware. Hofstra placed third (24), followed by Drexel (21), Northeastern (19), William & Mary (10) and Towson (7).