July 9, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Rising seniors Berta Queralt, Danica Deckard and Laura Napolitano have been selected tri-captains of the Ohio State field hockey team for the 2012 season, head coach Anne Wilkinson announced Monday.

 “I’m excited about the leadership of this team for this upcoming season,” head coach Anne Wilkinson said. “Danica, Laura and Berta have the experience to lead a team, playing in more than 150 games combined the last three years. We look forward to the beginning of camp next month.”

Queralt, a forward from Barcelona, Spain, is a two-time NFHCA third team All-American and three-time All-Big ten selection. In 2009, the forward became the first freshman in program history to earn All-America honors after scoring 46 points with a team-best 17 goals with 12 assists. In 2010, Queralt claimed 47 points, breaking the OSU single-season assists record with 27, while tallying 10 goals. A three-time NFHCA National Academic honoree, Queralt is a two-time captain for the Scarlet and Gray.

Deckard, a forward from Selinsgrove, Pa., posted second team All-Big Ten honors in 2011 after recording 24 points with a team-best 11 goals. Last season, Deckard had a breakout year, ranking in the Top 10 in several offensive categories in the Big Ten, including tied for second in gamewinners (5), third in shots per game (4.80), fourth in shots (96) and tied for sixth in goals (11). A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Deckard will look to lead the OSU attack along with fellow classmate Queralt.

Napolitano, a back from Cincinnati, Ohio, notched a career-high nine points on three goals and three assists in 2011. She claimed three defensive saves and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Nov. 3. Napolitano, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, will look to guide the OSU backfield and will be a key component to the squad’s penalty corner unit that averaged 7.14 corners per game in 2011.