The Fairfield University sophomore was the NEC Player of the Year for the nationally-ranked Stags.
Previously named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Player of the Year in November, Persiehl starred on both sides of the pitch throughout the Stags’ historic 2019 campaign. As a defender, she anchored a unit that allowed just 26 goals in 22 matches, yielding one goal or less in 18 of those outings. The Stags posted five shutouts during the regular season, including back-to-back clean sheets against Indiana and Columbia, which resulted in a run of 127 consecutive scoreless minutes.
The sophomore was just as effective up front, placing second among her teammates with 23 total points in 2019. Persiehl posted six goals during the season with all six tallies standing up as game winners. She also added a team-leading 11 assists, a number which also tied for 22nd in the nation (0.50 assists per game). Persiehl had a hand in all five Fairfield overtime wins this season, scoring three times and assisting on two other game-winning goals in extra time.
"I am so happy that Luzi was recognized for her play during this incredible season," Fairfield Head Coach Jackie Kane ’87 said. "She played an instrumental role in what this team was able to accomplish this season. She is truly deserving of this recognition not only for her play on the field but the role she fills for us off the field as well."
In addition to Persiehl’s honor, Coach Kane and her assistants were tabbed by their peers as the NFHCA Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Also the NEC Coaching Staff of the Year, the quartet of Kane, Assistant Coach Dani Brown ’02, Assistant Coach Steve Dennis, and Volunteer Assistant Jeroen Siskens piloted the Stags to a 19-3 overall record. Fairfield captured the NEC Championship and Regular Season Championship, while earning a national ranking in eight straight weeks. The Stags established program records for wins (19) and consecutive wins (12), defeated at least one foe from every conference in the nation, and earned their first-ever NCAA postseason win with a 3-1 victory over #25 American.
