Little East announces field hockey honors; Smith and Simula recieve major awards

KEENE, N.H.  11/9/10 – Keene State's Leigh Smith (Sanbornton, N.H.) and Katlyn Simula (Bridgewater, N.H.) have been named Little East Conference field hockey defensive player of the year and rookie of the year respectively.

Smith, a senior speedster, is the fifth consecutive and sixth overall Keene State player to receive defensive honors, joining Nichole Dallas (2002), Sara Joyce (2006), Alyssa Rowell (2007-08) and Erin Dallas (2009).  The Owls sported the 15th best defensive unit in Division III in goals against average (0.95) and 20th in shutouts (9). Keene State is perched atop the Little East team standings in goals against average (0.90) and shutouts, while ranking second in goals allowed (20). When the Owls limit their opponents to one or fewer goals, Keene State posted a 16-1 record. Smith and her teammates held their opponents scoreless for a season-high 268 minutes, and 25 seconds—a streak spanning five matches between Oct. 26 and Nov. 5. Noted for her dashes down field and her defensive work during opposing corner opportunities, Smith finished the season with two goals, four assists, and eight points. She scored game-winning goals against Fitchburg State and New England College and had a key defensive save in a 1-0 win over LEC champion UMass-Dartmouth.

"I was really excited to get the award.  I expected it to go to someone else," said Smith.  "Speed is one of my biggest assets, so I figured I might as well use it.  It was great to be in the backfield and explode up to the forward line and give the team and offensive push."

Simula is the first Owl student-athlete in conference history to be honored as the top rookie, while also earning a spot on the All-Little East, third-team. The freshman from Bridgewater, N.H. made her first collegiate marker count, scoring the game-winning goal against Western New England in her Keene State debut on Sept. 1. She continued her knack for delivering the decisive strike as each of her three markers on the campaign were game-winners. A starter in all 22 matches, Simula also dished out three assists for nine total points. She was credited with her lone defensive save in a victory over Castleton State on Sept. 20. Simula was just one of two rookies to make an appearance on the All-Little East teams, joining teammate Aimee Donaruma (Hampden, Mass.).

Simula was almost speechless when she found out about the honor. "My first year with the team was so much fun," she said. "I was glad I was able to help the team out in so many ways.  I love playing defense and going up and hitting the ball during our corner plays."

Juniors Elizabeth Coffin (Sugar Hill, N.H.) and Aislynn Sherry (Rehoboth, Mass.) joined Smith on the All-LEC first-team.   Coffin, a forward, was second in the LEC in goals (21) and fourth in points (44).  She tied a school record with five goals against Worcester State on Oct. 16.  Sherry, a midfielder, was second on the team in scoring with nine goals and 20 points. She had three goals in a LEC win over Western Conn.

Senior goalie Meghan Ledoux (Standish, Me.) and junior back Kerry Howe (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.) were second-team selections. Ledoux posted a LEC leading 0.94 GAA, .868 save pct., and seven shutouts. She had a career-high 15 saves in a 2-1 win over nationally ranked Trinity College on Sept. 22.  The versatile Howe finished the season with two goals, four assists and a team-best three defensive saves.  She had a goal and a defensive save in an early season win over Husson College on Spt. 4.

Aimee Donaruma (Hampden, Mass.) was also named to the All-LEC third-team.  The fleet-footed freshman started in all 22 games for the Owls this season. Her lone goal was the game-winner in a 2-0 LEC win over Southern Maine.