If ever two teammates deserved to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame the same year, it is Michele Barnard and Vera Schoenfeld. They played together for four years. They were both All-Americans midfielders. They both won the Mildred Barnes Award as the University's Outstanding Female Student-Athlete.
They both held school records five years after they stopped competing for the Terriers. They both combined to give the Terrier field hockey team its best penalty corner combination. Even head coach Sally Starr nominated the two of them for the Hall of Fame at the same time, hoping the induction would become a reality.
"I am sure that Vera and Michele are excited," said head coach Sally Starr, who at the time had coached eight Hall of Famers including Chris LaPointe, Terry Geldart, Sally Maxell, Lisa Barone, Patrice Schena Cachat and Lori Heywood Hand in addition to Michele and Vera. "But they are as excited for the other person as they are of themselves.
"That's what they were about when they were playing here. They did whatever was necessary for the team to win."
Obviously, they did much for the team to win.
During their four-year careers, they played on teams that had a combined record of 60-24-1 and advanced to the NCAA tournament twice. Their 1996 team was ranked No. 7 in the nation, while they were No. 9 in 1995.
"The success of our teams mirrored the success enjoyed by both Michele and Vera," said Starr.
While Vera scored the goals, Michele earned the assists. During her career, she earned 67 assists, which ranked first on the University's all-time list at the time of induction. Overall, she finished with 119 points, which ranked third at the time of induction.
Statistically, her best season was in 1996 when she led the nation in assists with a school-record 35. She also chipped in with 35 goals for a total of 61 points, which ranked No. 7 in the nation and set a school single-season scoring record.
Her play earned her First Team All-American recognition along with First Team All-Region, First Team All-Conference, was named the America East Player of the Year and received the Barnes Award.
Michele's junior year, she had 10 goals and 23 assists and was voted Second Team All-American along with First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference.
There is one award not mentioned above. As a senior, Michele was voted the team co-MVP. She shared the award with Vera Schoenfeld.
