North Dartmouth, MA --- The Worcester State field hockey team has received the distinguished honor of this year's Little East Sportsmanship Award. The announcement was made with the all-conference release after a vote by the leagues 12 head coaches. The accolade was started by the conference last season.
"It's great that the coaches within the conference recognize great job that our coaching staff does," said Sue Chapman, Athletics Director. "College sports are much more than wins and losses. It's great that our student-athletes are being distinguished for the example that they set by respecting the game and their opponents."
The Lancers finished the season at 7-12 overall and 4-7 in the LEC in seventh place. Under fourth-year head coach Abby Sallila, the squad improved their record by four wins and three in conference play.
Junior Samantha Janda (Sterling, MA) led the team in scoring with six goals and six assists for 18 points. Senior Megan Feehan (Lunenburg, MA) netted six goals while classmate Karla Rotondi (Tewksbury, MA) added five markers, three of which were game-winners. Janda and third-year Sarah Cozzens (Lancaster, MA) each joined the exclusive 25-point club as Cozzens finished with four goals and two assists for 10 points this year.
The back line was anchored by junior Lauren Daley (Dedham, MA) who led the Little East with 11 defensive saves. Daley, who now has 12 career stops, eclipsed the single-season school mark (7) and career record (9) which was set by Kim Cosenza in 2008. Defensive stops were first officially recorded in 2004.
Daley's total is currently tied for fourth in the NCAA Division III in defensive saves.
Junior keeper Kat Masterjohn (Warren, MA) also had the fifth-best save total in the LEC (125) and the seventh-best save percentage (.772).