Coffin, Howe, Donaruma Earn All-Region Honors

CHANDLER, Arizona 11/16/11 – Three Keene State College field hockey players earned all-region honors as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NHFCA) on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Elizabeth Coffin (Sugar Hill, N.H.) was voted to the first team, making her eligible for All-America honors. Classmate Kerry Howe (Atlantic Highlands, N.J.) and sophomore Aimee Donaruma (Hampden, Mass.) were voted to the 2nd team.

The Owls finished the year 20-5, setting a program record for victories in a season and winning their first NCAA Division III Tournament game in program history. "It was a great year for us," said KSC head coach Amy Watson. "These three are getting the accolades they deserve."

Coffin ranked amongst the national leaders in goals per game (19th, 1.05) and points per game (19th, 2.52). She leads the conference circuit in game-winning goals (8), goals (22), and points (53), while sharing the lead in assists (9). Coffin scored at least one marker in 15 of the 21 starts this season, including the national tournament with an eight-match scoring streak. She recorded a season-best eight points on four goals in the Little East Field Hockey Tournament quarterfinals against Southern Maine. Coffin delivered the decisive strike in the semifinal and championship rounds of the conference tournament to help Keene State capture the Little East Field Hockey Championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament field.

Howe anchored one of the top defensive units in the nation, ranking third in shutouts per game (0.610) and 20th in scoring margin (2.19). Keene State sat atop the team standings in scoring margin (2.19) and shutouts (14), while tying Plymouth State for the least amount of goals allowed (24) in the LEC. The Owls limited their opponents to fewer than two markers in 20 matches to boast a 19-1 record in those matches. Individually, Howe tied for the conference lead in defensive saves with eight. She was credited with two defensive stops in three matches, most recently against Western Connecticut on Oct.1. Howe contributed to the offensive rush with nine points on two goals and five assists. She was recently named the Little East Field Hockey Most Outstanding Player as Keene State surrender just one marker in three matches to earn the conference tournament crown.

Donaruma totaled one goal and eight assists for 10 points from the midfield for the Owls in 2011. The Hampden, Mass. product scored her lone goal of the season against LEC opponent Fitchburg State back on September, 17th at Owl Athletic Complex. Making the move from the backfield last season, she also registered multiple assists against Southern Maine and Western Conn. State.