STANDISH, ME – The Saint Joseph's field hockey team registered another outstanding season last fall, with a 13-6 overall record and a perfect 7-0 mark in North Atlantic Conference play.

Under the watch of sixth-year Head Coach Rupert Lewis, the Monks earned the NAC regular season title and the top seed in the conference tournament for the second consecutive campaign. Unfortunately for the Royal Blue, the 2010 season ended with a 2-1 loss to Husson University in the NAC Championship at Lakeside Field on November 6th. The loss was undoubtedly disappointing, but should not tarnish what was one of the most memorable campaigns in program history.

The Monks, who closed out the year having won 18 consecutive conference contests over the last three campaigns, were well-represented on the All-Conference team following the regular season. Coach Lewis collected Coach of the Year honors for the second year in a row and a St. Joe's player - Courtney Rague '11 (Old Orchard Beach, ME) - was named as the Conference Player of the Year for second time in as many seasons. Rague earned the accolade after pacing the Royal Blue in goals (14), assists (12) and points (40) during her senior season. Julia Ostrowski '10 collected the high NAC honor in 2009.

Rague, forward Kayla Nowell '11 (Bridgton, ME), defender Alyssa Dunn '11 (Standish, ME), forward Sarah Bartell '12 (Exeter, NH) and goalkeeper Meaghan Johnson '12 (Portland, ME/Cheverus) were First Team All-NAC selections last fall.

Nowell closed out her career with another fine offensive season (13G – 6A – 32P) and leaves the program as the all-time leader in goals (57), points (146), shots (346) and game-winning goals (13).

Dunn ranks as the team's record holder in games played (78) and Johnson heads into her senior season as the career leader in wins (39), shutouts (11) and goals-against average (1.34). She currently ranks second in team history in goalkeeper games (55), minutes (3773) and saves (300).

Much of the Monks' success in 2010 can be attributed to the team's formidable defensive efforts. As a team, Saint Joseph's ranked ninth in the country in save percentage (.836) and 27th in goals-against average (1.33). Overall, St. Joe's allowed one goal or less in nine contests during the year.

The 2010 campaign began with three consecutive victories, as the Monks defeated Framingham State (2-0), Lasell College (3-1) and University of New England (2-1) to kick off the year on a high note. The win over the Nor'easters, who eventually won the TCCC title and advanced to the NCAA DIII Tournament, was the Monks' second consecutive win against their in-state rivals.

St. Joe's saw its record dip to 3-2 after suffering shutout setbacks to FDU-Florham (1-0) and Kean University (2-0) during a trip to New Jersey.

The Royal Blue quickly rebounded upon returning to New England with three wins over Southern Maine (4-1), Husson (3-2, OT) and Castleton (3-2).

The triumph over USM on September 23rd in Gorham was the Monks' first-ever victory over the Huskies. Melanie Allen '13 (Jackson, NH) scored two goals to help the Royal Blue end a 14-game losing streak to Southern Maine. With a goal at the 11:07 mark of the first half, Nowell surpassed Ostrowski as the all-time leading goal scorer in SJC field hockey history.

The Monks followed the USM triumph with an overtime win over NAC-rival Husson University. Rague registered the game-winning marker four minutes into extra play and Johnson made 19 saves to help Saint Joseph's remain perfect in conference play.

After a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Colby College on the turf at Deering Memorial Stadium on October 6th, St. Joe's returned to its winning ways with four straight triumphs over Maine-Farmington, Salve Regina, Salem State and Simmons College to improve to 10-3 overall.

The Monks four-game win streak was brought to a halt on October 20th when Endicott College tipped the Royal Blue, 2-1, in double-overtime. The lone SJC marker was scored by Nowell, who became the team's all-time leader in points with a goal at the 22:16 mark against the Gulls.

St. Joe's rattled off a pair of conference wins over Thomas (3-2) and Rivier College (8-1) to close out the 2010 NAC docket and capped the regular season with a loss to Plymouth State (2-0) on October 26th.

With the #1 seed in the NAC Tournament, Saint Joseph's earned a first-round bye and hosted fourth-seeded Castleton State in a conference semifinal match on November 3rd. The game turned out to be a thriller and was tied at one-apiece after 70 minutes of regulation play. The Spartans applied plenty of pressure in the extra frame, but Nowell propelled the Monks into the NAC Championship with a goal in the eighth minute of overtime.

The title match between the top-seeded Monks and the #2 Eagles was as intense as could be expected. St. Joe's, in search of the program's first NCAA Tournament berth and looking to avenge an early exit from the NAC tourney at the hands of the Eagles the year before, was ready to rock. Husson, seeking its second straight NCAA bid and hoping to prove that the 3-2 overtime loss to St. Joe's during the regular season was a fluke, showed up ready to play.

The Eagles struck first with a marker at the 6:59 mark and the 1-0 edge held until Nowell knotted the game on a corner attempt 1:37 into the second half. Momentum swung in the Monks' favor with the tally, but Husson scored what turned out to be the winning goal 11 minutes later.

Husson turned its attention to defense after scoring the go-ahead marker and allowed just one shot on net over the final 13 minutes of play.

With the loss came the end of three fantastic careers, as Nowell, Rague and Dunn had played their final collegiate field hockey in the season-ending setback. The trio of four-year starters combined to earn six all-conference honors and helped the Monks post an outstanding 56-23 (.709) record during their time at Saint Joseph's.

Although the program will miss the seniors' contributions, on and off the field, the Royal Blue Faithful should expect the Monks to reload and challenge for team's first conference crown next fall. Eight starters return for the 2011 season, including defensive stalwarts Brittany Locke '13 (Waterville, ME), Renee Leach '12 (Springvale, ME), Ashley Walukevich '12 (Kingston, NH) Carley Denis '14 (Lewiston, ME) and Meghan Carr '14 (Topsham, ME). Johnson returns in net while Allen and Bartell figure to help replace the offensive contributions provided by Rague and Nowell next fall.