Conference

Piscataway, NJ -- Monmouth sophomore forward Gina Chico (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) was selected the Northeast Conference Women’s Field Hockey Player of the Year in a vote by league head coaches. The record-setting Chico led Monmouth to the top seed in this weekend’s NEC Tournament. Siena’s talented freshman forward Lacee Iselo (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) was named the league’s Rookie of the Year, while Monmouth’s Monica Morgan Levy was tabbed NEC Coach of the Year. Morgan Levy, a two-time NEC Coach of the Year recipient, coached the Hawks to a first place finish in the NEC regular season standings and registered a new league record by posting 9 conference wins on the year.

The 2000 NEC Field Hockey Championships will take place this weekend and be hosted by Monmouth University. On Saturday, October 28, #1 seed Monmouth will take on #4 Rider at 11:00 am in a semifinal matchup. The second semifinal is scheduled for 3:00 pm, and features #2 Quinnipiac versus #3 Sacred Heart. The championship game will be held on Sunday, October 29 at 2:00 pm, with the winner moving on to face the America East champion in an NCAA Tournament play-in match on November 7.

Chico had a spectacular campaign that saw her set new NEC single season records for goals scored (17 goals) and points (36 points/1.89 ppg), as she paced a Monmouth attack that established a new league mark for team goals scored (48 goals) in a season. Chico enters this weekend’s NEC Tournament having racked up 5 game-winning goals on the year, as the Hawks look to claim their first-ever league championship.

Iselo emerged as one of the NEC’s top scoring threats this season, recording 17 points (8 goals & 1 assist) on the year. Iselo, who topped all NEC freshman in goals and points, was a key factor in helping Siena to its best record (5-5) in NEC play since joining the league in 1998.

Three other Monmouth standouts earn all-league honors along with Chico. Sophomore forward Kellie Nurko (Robbinsville, NJ/Allentown), the 1999 NEC Rookie of the Year, ranked second in the NEC in both scoring (30 points/1.58 ppg) and goals (13 goals/0.68 gpg). Senior Marie Uzzo (Pelham, NY/Pelham) was a unanimous choice at midfield. Uzzo, a three-time all-NEC honoree, recorded 12 points on the year (4 goals & 4 assists). Senior defender Maggie Bomenblit (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North), also a three-time all-NEC selection, provided Monmouth with a steady defensive presence throughout the season and also chipped in on the offensive end with 3 assists.

Two-time defending NEC champion Quinnipiac placed a league-high five players on the first team. Forwards Kristin Crosby (Sandwich, MA/Sandwich) and Catie Canetti (Guilford, CT/Guilford) provided the Braves with a potent one-two scoring punch this season. Crosby ranked third in the NEC in scoring (22 points) and fourth in the NEC in both points-per-game (1.16 ppg) and goals (10 goals/0.53 gpg). Canetti, Quinnipiac’s career scoring leader with 69 points (30 goals & 9 assists), knocked in nine goals on the season and ranked among the top-five in the NEC in scoring (18 points), points per game (0.95 ppg) and goals per game (0.47 gpg). Sophomore Courtney Ryan (New Hope, PA/Council Rock) emerged as one of the NEC’s premier midfielders this season, as she led the NEC in assists (8 assists/0.44 apg).

A pair of Brave defenders round out Quinnipiac’s first team contingent. Junior Jamie Glendening (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) came through with a strong season from her defender spot, while senior Lisa Scavotto (Enfield, CT/Enfield) was a force on both ends of the field. Scavotto led all NEC defenders with 8 points (2 goals & 4 assists) on the season.