STANDISH, ME - Going into the 2008 season, the team's first in the North Atlantic Conference, it seemed that the St. Joe's Field Hockey team would be hard-pressed to improve on the 2007 campaign in which the squad set new program records in a multitude of statistical categories, including wins, winning percentage, and scoring. The group, which featured 14 returners from the ‘07 team that advanced to the ECAC title game, did just that and surpassed all expectations by recording another record-breaking season under fourth-year Head Coach Rupert Lewis.

The 2008 Lady Monks amassed a 15-6 record to set new program highs in both wins and winning percentage (.714), and along the way shattered the team marks for goals (75), assists (65) and points (215).

The team's first season in the NAC yielded a 5-1 tilt, which ranked as the top conference record. Castleton State and Maine-Farmington also posted 5-1 records and earned the top two seeds in the conference playoffs due to tiebreaker procedures while Saint Joseph's garnered the #3 seed. The Lady Monks advanced to the league championship after defeating Maine-Farmington in a semifinal matchup, but fell to Castleton State, 4-3 in overtime, in a hard-fought title contest.

For the second consecutive season, Saint Joseph's earned a berth into the ECAC Tournament. The fourth-seeded Lady Monks defeated #5 Worcester State, 2-0, at Lakeside Field in the quarterfinal game before falling to eventual Tournament Champion Endicott College in the semifinals, 1-0.

One of the many highlights of the season came on October 16th when St. Joe's hosted in-state rival Colby College in a thrilling double-overtime contest. A goal off the stick of Kayla Nowell 11 (Bridgton, ME) in the first minute of the second overtime period provided the Lady Monks with the program's first-ever victory over the Mules.

While many team records fell in 2008, several individuals, including Coach Lewis, posted record-breaking campaigns as well. With a 4-2 victory over Castleton State on October 5th, Lewis captured the program record for coaching victories and closed out the season with a program-high 36 wins.

Junior Julia Ostrowski (Albany, NY) set new career records for assists (32) and points (88) during the season while tying Nowell for the team record for assists in a season with 15. The junior standout notched 16 goals and 47 points in '08.

Nowell notched the best offensive season in program history, setting single season marks for goals (21), game-winning goals (5), shots (122) and points (57). The sophomore finished the ‘08 season with a program-high 29 career goals and is close behind Ostrowski with 75 points after just two seasons of play. For her efforts, Nowell was named First Team All-Conference and was listed on the Longstreth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association New England West All-Region Team. She finished the season tied with Ostrowski for the conference lead in assists and also tied for first in points while placing second in the league in goals.

Senior captain Gina Gaetani (Auburn, ME) joined Nowell as a First Team All-Conference honoree after finishing third on the team in both goals (12) and points (28). Gaetani completed her illustrious career with 19 goals (4th all-time), 11 assists (6th) and 49 points (4th) in 72 games, the most games played by an individual in team history.

Listed on the All-Conference Second Team were Ostrowski and Alyssa Dunn ‘11 (Standish, ME), who netted three goals and eight assists to total 14 points. Dunn's booming free hits and physical style of play proved to be invaluable for the Lady Monks in her second season.

Junior Jillian Kimball (Albany Township, ME) gained All-Conference Honorable Mention honors after netting three goals, 13 assists and 19 points, which ranked fourth on the team.

Junior defender Kimberly Glynn (Danvers, MA) played a pivotal role on defense for the Lady Monks. She led the conference and set a new single-season record by making 14 defensive saves in 2008, but her aggressive style of play and defensive instincts go beyond the stat sheet. Glynn was key for a defensive front that posted league-bests in goals-against average (1.15) and shutouts (6).

Freshman goalkeeper Meaghan Johnson (Portland, ME/Cheverus) recorded an impressive rookie campaign and led the NAC in shutouts (5) and ranked second in goals-against average (1.42). Johnson set new SJC single-season marks for wins (13) and shutouts while her GAA is second in team history.

Departing seniors Gina Gaetani, Kelly Emerson (Vassalboro, ME), Laura Snow (Dover-Foxcroft, ME), Katie Seaman (Beverly, MA), Ashley Haynes (Auburn, MA) and Emily Mathieson (Canton, MA) have all played meaningful roles, on and off the field, in building the Lady Monks' field hockey program into a regional contender during their time donning the Royal Blue and will be missed by teammates and fans alike next year.