Bradford named LEC offensive player of the year; Owls place four players on All-LEC team

KEENE, N.H.  11/9/10 – Keene State forward Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) has been named the Little East Conference women’s soccer offensive player of the year. 

Bradford, who was also named to the All-LEC first-team for the third consecutive year, had a super senior season for the Owls (14-6-2).  A three-time LEC player of the week, Bradford topped the conference in assists (15) and points (49) and is tied for first in goals (17).  She tallied at least one point in 16 of KSC’s 22 games, including a four-goal performance against UMass-Dartmouth on Oct. 9.

Also an accomplished student, Bradford was named to the ESPN Academic All-District® women's soccer team. The first Keene State player to earn LEC offensive player of the year honors since Erin Lester won the award in 2002, Bradford put her name in the Owl record book this season, becoming the school’s all-time career leader in goals (65) and points (159).

Senior midfielder Nora Mahoney (Belchertown, Mass.) and junior back Melissa Dempsey (East Weymouth, Mass.) joined Bradford on the All-LEC first-team while junior back Bridget Hennessey (Essex Junction, Vt.) was a second-team selection. 

Racing up and down the wing, Mahoney tallied two goals, six assists and 10 points for Keene State.  Both Dempsey and Hennessey were defensive stalwarts for the Owls this season. A steady performer in the backfield, Dempsey was also a factor in corner kicks, crashing the net for four goals. The anchor of KSC’s defense from her sweeper position, Hennessey also contributed offensively with a goal and four assist. Her goal, a long drive from 40-yards out, came in a 5-1 win over Worcester State.