STANDISH, ME - Expectations were high for the 2009 Saint Joseph's College Field Hockey program, and many of the team's lofty goals were met. Even though the Monks' ultimate objective, a conference title, was cut short by Husson in a hard-fought penalty stroke loss in the NAC Semifinals, the Royal Blue accomplished plenty, as the program continued to gain regional recognition under the guidance of fifth-year Head Coach Rupert Lewis.

The Monks went 14-4 overall, with important non-league victories against the likes of University of New England and Endicott College, and posted a perfect 7-0 record in North Atlantic Conference play to earn the top seed, and a bye in the first round, in the NAC Tournament. Along the way, St. Joe's set new program single-season records for winning percentage (.778) and shot percentage (.219) and tied the marks for fewest losses (4) and consecutive shutouts (2).

The Royal Blue stickers also set several team single game records, including goals (13) and points (35), and junior forward Kayla Nowell '11 (Bridgton, ME) tallied nine total points to set a new high-water mark for individual game scoring. All three records were set in the Monks' season-opening victory at Bay Path College.

The victory over Bay path set the tone for the early part of the season, as the Monks kicked off the year with the program's first 4-0 start. Nowell continued her hot start with two goals in a 3-0 win over FDU-Florham in New Jersey on September 12^th and Courtney Rague '11 (Old Orchard Beach, ME) notched a pair of tallies and Jaimee Brett '10 (Otisfield, ME) netted the eventual game-winner against UNE three days later to push the Monks to 3-0. The 3-2 triumph against the Nor'easters was the first win over UNE in SJC program history.

The Monks' four-game win streak was capped with an overpowering 4-0 win over NAC opponent Thomas College on September 19^th. Nowell netted a pair of goals and added an assist and the Royal Blue did not allow the Terriers a single shot in the victory.

Hopes for an undefeated season were dashed by Colby College on September 23^rd, as the Mules handed the Monks a 5-0 setback in Waterville. Unfazed, St. Joe's rattled off three consecutive wins to improve to 7-1 overall.

The victory parade began with a thrilling double-overtime triumph over NAC foe Husson University on September 26^th. The Monks trailed, 2-0, after 45 minutes of play at Lakeside Field, but Julia Ostrowski '10 (Albany, NY) scored two goals in a matter of 14 minutes to send the game into overtime. This set the stage for Elizabeth Andersen '13 (Cumberland, ME), who netted her first collegiate goal in the 92^nd minute against the Eagles to lift the Monks to victory.

Four days after a 9-0 routing of Wheelock on October 1^st, St. Joe's topped NAC rival Thomas College, 2-1, at Lakeside Field. The Terriers scored an early goal, but Ostrowski and Jillian Kimball '10 (Albany Township, ME) proceeded to tally unanswered scores to preserve the goal of an undefeated conference tilt.

Sitting at 7-1 overall and 3-0 in NAC play on October 8th; the Monks were confident heading into a game against University of Southern Maine, a team Saint Joseph's has never defeated. The Huskies continued the dominance over the Monks, however, and improved to 14-0 all time against neighboring St. Joe's with a 3-0 decision.

Although the loss was disappointing, it didn't take away from the focus of winning a regular season conference crown. In their next game, the Monks came out in full force against Rivier College, defeating the Raiders 7-1 behind a three-goal effort from Ostrowski. With the help of a stout defensive front, SJC keeper Meaghan Johnson '12 (Portland, ME/Cheverus) posted shutouts in the Monks' subsequent games against Salve Regina and Salem State and the Royal Blue headed into a rematch of the 2008 NAC Championship with Castleton 10-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

The Spartans, 2008 NAC Champions after defeating St. Joe's, 1-0 in overtime, in the title game last season, also entered the match-up with a 4-0 record in conference contests. Trailing 2-1 after 25 minutes, Nowell managed to score a pair of goals within a minute of play to provide the Monks with the momentum and a one-goal lead. The slim margin nearly held, but the Spartans scored a goal as time expired to knot the game at three-apiece. Twelve minutes into the first overtime frame, Ostrowski propelled the Royal Blue to victory with her 15^th goal of the season.

The hard-fought victory proved to be emotionally and physically draining, as St. Joe's dropped a game to Union College, 3-0, the next day to snap the four-game string.

For the third time, St. Joe's proved to be resilient and followed a loss with a big victory. This time, the Monks defeated Endicott College, 2-1, in double-overtime with a goal from freshman Melanie Allen (Jackson, NH) in the 97^th minute. Saint Joseph's proceeded to secure an undefeated conference season and the top seed in the NAC tourney with one-goal victories over NAC opponents Simmons College and Lasell College to close out the regular-season.

After nearly 10 days without playing a game, St. Joe's hosted fourth-seeded Husson University in a NAC Semifinal contest on November 4th. The teams dueled to a double-overtime match, with the Monks coming out ahead, 3-2, earlier in the season and this contest would feature more of the same dramatic play. After a scoreless first half, Ostrowski put the Monks on the board with a t ally 47 seconds into the second stanza. St. Joe's appeared to be headed for the championship game, but the Eagles managed to score off a corner after time expired to send the heated battle into overtime. Thirty minutes and two overtime periods of scoreless play ensued - as it turned out, one of the teams would see its season come to an end by virtue of a penalty stroke-off. To the dismay of the Royal Blue Faithful, Husson earned the opportunity to advance to, and ultimately win, the NAC Championship, after topping the Monks in the stroke-off round.

The loss abruptly ended the careers of six seniors: Ostrowski, Kimball, Brett, Kim Glynn (Danvers, MA), Kerrie Boutin (Georgetown, MA) and Allison Zellers (Concord, NH). The talented group left its mark on the program, as the 2010 senior class participated in the most successful four-year window in the 15-year history of the program (49-27, .645).

Outstanding Individual Performances

• Ostrowski led the NAC in goals (18) and points (43) and received First Team All-Conference and NAC Player of the Year accolades following the completion of the regular season. The senior leaves the program as the career leader in goals (46), assists (39), points (131) and game-winners (9) and became the first SJC field hockey player to garner NFHCA All-Region First Team honors after the completion of the season. Ostrowski also collected NAC All-Tournament honors, along with junior defender Alyssa Dunn (Standish, ME).
• Nowell enjoyed another excellent offensive season and notched All-NAC First Team honors for the second straight season after netting 15 goals, 9 assists and 39 points. She also received regional recognition with the second All-NFHCA Second Team honor of her career.
• Kimball closed out her career with a fine season, 2 goals and 4 assists for 8 total points, and received All-NAC First Team and Second Team All-NFHCA accolades for her efforts as one of the best defenders in the area. Kimball currently ranks as the program's all-time leader in games played (76).
• Glynn, the backbone of a robust defense that led the conference in fewest goals allowed (25), goals-against average (1.29) and shutouts (6), was named Third Team All-Conference after leading the NAC in defensive saves (9) for the second straight season. Glynn leaves the program as the runaway leader in defensive saves with 26.
• Head Coach Rupert Lewis received NAC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Monks to double-digit wins for the third consecutive season. Lewis, 7-23 in his first two seasons as the SJC skipper, has turned the program into a legitimate regional contender that has posted a 43-17 record in the last three seasons combined.
• SJC goalkeeper Meaghan Johnson is quietly making a march towards owning all of the major goalie records at Saint Joseph's. Through two seasons, Johnson is the program's all-time leader in wins (26), ranks second in games (37), minutes (2581), shutouts (9) and GAA (1.36), third in saves (183) and seventh in save percentage (.785). She led the NAC in shutouts (4) and GAA (1.29), which ranks as a new SJC single-season best, as a sophomore.
• Courtney Rague tallied 6 goals, 2 assists and 14 total points in just 13 games and Sarah Bartell '12 (Exeter, NH) notched 3 goals, 5 assists and 11 points in 2009.
• Freshmen Stephanie Lombardo (Steep Falls, ME), Jordan Dumont (Shapleigh, ME), Melanie Allen, Elizabeth Andersen, Brittany Locke (Waterville, ME) and Linnie Blais (York, ME) are expected to help soften the blow of losing a talented and dedicated senior class. Lombardo, Dumont, Allen and Andersen combined to score 9 goals and 5 assists as rookies, while Locke and Blais both played large roles on the defensive end of the field.

Front (L-R): Jaimee Brett, Julia Ostrowski, Kerrie Boutin, Alyssa Dunn, Kim Glynn, Jillian Kimball, Allison Zellers Middle: Rachel Varjian, Stephanie Lombardo, Amanda Sebastiao, Courtney Rague, Olivia Tourangeau, Ashley Walukevich, Melanie Allen, Meagan Johnson Back: Head Coach Rupert Lewis, Manager Brandee Salvas, Linnie Blais, Elizabeth Anderson, Kayla Nowell, Sarah Bartell, Brittany Locke, Jordan Dumont, Assistant Coach Kevin Fahey