Barnard, Schoenfeld Inducted Into B. U. Hall Of Fame
October 5, 2002 | Field Hockey
BOSTON - If ever two teammates deserved to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame the same year, it is Michele and Vera. They played together for four years. They were both midfielders. They were both All-Americans. They both won the Mildred Barnes Award as the University's Outstanding Female Student-Athlete. They both still hold 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 in school history. Even head coach Sally Starr nominated the two of them for the Hall of Fame at the same time, hoping that this year's induction would become a reality.
"I am sure that Vera and Michele are excited about tonight," said Coach Starr, who has now coached eight Hall of Famers during her 22-year Terrier coaching career. The group includes 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.
Michele Barnard holds the school record for career assists. "That's what they were about when they were playing here," the coach continued. "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 seventh in the nation, while they were ninth in 1995.
"The success of our teams mirrored the success enjoyed by both Michele and Vera," said Coach Starr.
Despite all their similarities, the two brought completely different styles to the field.
"Vera was more of a finesse player," said the coach. "She grew up in Germany playing (field) hockey. As a result, she always seemed to be at the right place at the right time. She was an excellent decision maker.
"Michele, on the other hand, was a feisty, aggressive player, who also had speed," continued Coach Starr. "She was an amazing competitor and never quit.
"The two did share the ability to rise to the occasion," said the coach. "They played big in big games, and I never had to worry if they were ready to play."
During her career, Vera scored 55 goals and accounted for 152 points, marks that are still school records.
Her freshman year, she was named the Conference Rookie of the Year, while she was First Team All-Conference as a sophomore. It was her junior year, though, in which the honors came flowing. During the season, she set or equaled six scoring records and was named First Team All-American. She was also First Team All-Region and All-Conference and received the Barnes Award. An outstanding student, as well, she was voted GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American.
The following year, she had 16 goals and 17 assists and was named the New England College Athletic Conference Division 1 Athlete of the Year. She was also voted GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America for the second year, received the ECAC's Division 1 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and received the Gretchen Schuyler Award as the University's Female Athlete of the Year.
While Vera scored the goals, Michele earned the assists. During her career, she earned 67 assists, which still ranks first on the University's all-time list. Overall, she finished with 119 points, which ranks third.
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 seventh 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…who else…Vera.
