Butcher named LEC coach of the year; Four Owls named to All-LEC team

KEENE, N.H.  11/9/10 – Long-time Keene State Coach Ron Butcher was named LEC Coach of the Year and four Owl players were named to the 2010 All-Little East Conference teams on Tuesday.

Butcher has been voted the top mentor in the Little East for the third time in his illustrious career and first since 2001. Under his guidance, Keene State posted an overall record of 14-4-2, marking the 13th time in the past 14 years the Owls have registered double-digit victories since joining Division III in 1997. In 2010, Keene State captured the conference championship for the sixth time in program history, while also winning the regular season title outright for the fourth time.  The Owls’ secured the top-seed and home field advantage throughout the Little East Men’s Soccer Championship with a 6-0-1 record inside the conference circuit. Keene State booked its 10th overall trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament by edging Rhode Island College, 1-0, in the final to earn the automatic qualifier. Butcher mentored four student-athletes on the All-Little East teams, including a pair of first-team honorees.  

Sophomores Joe Senecal (Manchaug, Mass.) and Blake Nyman (Plymouth, Mass.) were named to the first team while senior Cam Blair (Keene, N.H.) and sophomore Danny Silverman (Maynard, Mass.) were second-team selections.

Hampered by a leg injury during the second half of the season, Senecal still managed to lead the Owls in scoring with nine goals, two assists, and 20 points.  Senecal, who earned second-team honors last year, had four game-winning goals for KSC this season – none bigger than his late-game goal against Rhode Island College in the LEC championship game on Sunday that catapulted KSC in the NCAA tournament.

A first-team LEC all-star, Nyman anchored an Owl defense that posted five shutouts and thirds in the conference in goals allowed (1.25).  Possessing great field instincts and ability to win head balls, Nyman also crashed the net during corner kicks. His lone goal was the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Western Conn.

Blair, a first-time LEC all-star, provided KSC with a tough, physical presence on its front-line this season. Tallying four goals and two assists so far this season, Blair notched game-winning goals against Fitchburg State and rival Plymouth State.  Silverman is also making his first appearance on the All-LEC team.  The shifty sophomore has netted two goals this season.