Conference

Somerset, NJ -- Quinnipiac senior forward Julie Smith (Brewster, MA/Nauset Regional) was selected the Northeast Conference Field Hockey Player of the Year in a vote by league head coaches. The high-scoring Smith led the Braves to a share of the NEC regular season title, as well as the #2 seed in this weekend’s NEC Tournament. Talented freshman forward Maddy Boulden (Brooklawn, NJ/Gloucester) of Rider was named the league’s Rookie of the Year, while Quinnipiac’s Becca Main Kohli was tabbed as NEC Coach of the Year. Main Kohli, a two-time NEC Coach of the Year recipient and the winningest coach in league history, coached the Braves to their third NEC regular season title this year.

The 2001 NEC Field Hockey Championships will be hosted by UMBC this weekend in Baltimore, Maryland. On Friday, October 26, #1 seed Rider will take on #4 Monmouth at 1:00 pm in a semifinal matchup. The second semifinal is scheduled for 4:00 pm, and features #2 Quinnipiac versus #3 Sacred Heart. The championship game will be held on Sunday, October 28 at 12:00 pm, with the winner moving on to face the Northern Pacific Field Hockey League champion in an NCAA Tournament play-in match on November 6.

Smith emerged as the NEC’s most dangerous scoring threat this season from her forward position. In the latest league statistics, the Brewster, MA native leads the NEC in scoring (35 pts/15 g/5 a), points per game (2.19) and goals per game (0.94). Smith’s 35 points also established a new Quinnipiac single season scoring record. A two-time NEC Player of the Week award winner, Smith has posted five multiple-goal games this fall.

Boulden stepped right into the Rider lineup this season to become one of its top offensive stars. The Brooklawn, NJ native has tallied 17 points (5 g/7 a) on the year, tying her for the most points scored among all NEC newcomers. Boulden’s seven assists also tie her for the league lead (0.44 apg), as she looks to help the #1 seeded Broncs claim their second straight NEC Tournament title this weekend.

Four other Quinnipiac standouts earn all-league honors along with Smith. Forward Heather Cady (Holliston, MA/Holliston) registered 28 points (11 g/6 a) this year on her way to setting a new QU career scoring record (73 pts/31 g/11 a). The Braves also placed a pair of midfielders on the first team in senior Kristin Crosby (Sandwich, MA/Sandwich) and junior Courtney Ryan (New Hope, PA/Council Rock). Crosby, an all-NEC pick last year, is tied for fifth in the NEC in both scoring (22 pts/9 g/4 a) and points per game (1.38). Ryan, a fellow first teamer in 2000, has recorded six points (1 g/4 a) while also cementing her reputation as one of the NEC’s most fundamentally sound players. Completing the Braves’ first team contingent is senior defender Julie Champagne (Lincoln, RI/Lincoln), who has been a vital cog in Quinnipiac’ success the past several years.

Defending NEC champion Rider is well represented on the first team, producing three all-NEC players. Senior forward Janette Freeburg (West Deptford, NJ/Thorofare), a second team honoree last year, currently ranks third in the league in both points per game (24 pts/1.50 ppg) and goals (10 g/0.63 gpg), as well as fourth in scoring (24 pts/10 g/4 a). Senior midfielder Alison Waters (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall), a former NEC Rookie of the Year, is a gritty player who has posted eight points (2 g/4 a) on the season. Goalkeeper Jen Cushinotto (Tuckahoe, NJ/Ocean City) is the Broncs’ final first team selection. The 2000 NEC Tournament MVP, Cushinotto has been outstanding in net this year as she leads the league in goals against average (1.10), save percentage (.795) and shutouts (6).

Defenders Kelly Balady (Lansdale, PA/Methacton) and Kelly Monahan (Bedford, NJ/Middletown North) represent Monmouth on the first team all-NEC squad. Balady, the lone freshman to earn first team plaudits, was a solid addition to the Hawks defense as she compiled three defensive saves on the season. Monahan, a second team all-NEC choice last year, provided leadership to a Monmouth defense that allowed just 2.06 goals per game.

Sacred Heart sophomore forward Julie Messenger (Hinsdale, NH/Hinsdale) was the key offensive weapon for the Pioneers this season and rounds out the all-NEC first team. Messenger, a second teamer in 2000, ranks second in the NEC in scoring (29 pts/12 g/5 a) and fourth in both points per game (1.45) and goals (0.60 gpg).

Rider’s Maddy Boulden, the 2001 NEC Rookie of the Year, headlines the all-NEC second team. Monmouth placed a league-high three players on the second team, including junior forwards Gina Chico (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and Kellie Nurko (Robbinsville, NJ/Allentown). Nurko (21 pts/9 g/3 a) and Chico (19 pts/8 g/3 a) have ranked among the league leaders in scoring throughout the year. Talented junior midfielder Tara Hartman (Palmyra, NJ/Palmyra) rounds out the list of MU second team honorees. Junior midfielder Jackie Langenstein (Hampstead, NH/Pinkerton Academy) and senior goalkeeper Sarah Mathers (Garden City, NY/Garden City) both had strong seasons for playoff-bound Quinnipiac. Langenstein contributed 10 points (4 g/2 a) on the offensive end, while Mathers compiled a stingy 1.83 goals against average. Rider defender Karen Pettyjohn (Georgetown, DE/Sussex Central) spearheaded a Broncs’ defense that led the NEC in fewest goals allowed. A pair of key contributors to Sacred Heart’s success were named to the second team in junior midfielder Laura Athans (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township) and sophomore defender Andrea Marsden (Bennington, VT/Mount Anthony Union). Athans banged in seven goals to rank second on the Pioneers team, while Marsden developed into one of the NEC’s top young defensive stoppers. Siena also saw two of its players awarded second team all-NEC accolades in sophomore forward Lacee Iselo (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) and senior defender Amanda Hoenig (Seaford, NY/Seaford). Iselo, the 2000 NEC Rookie of the Year, had another big season and is tied for fifth in the league in both scoring (22 pts/9 g/4 a) and points per game (1.38). Hoenig contributed a steady defensive presence to an improved Saints team this year.