Johnson Named Defensive Player of the Year

STANDISH, ME - The 2011 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Field Hockey postseason awards have been released and four Saint Joseph's College players have been honored.

Senior goalkeeper Meaghan Johnson (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) has garnered NAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and Johnson, Sarah Bartell '12 (Exeter, N.H.), TJ Cowin '14 (Newry, Maine) and Brittany Locke '13 (Waterville, Maine) have all collected First Team All-NAC accolades.

Johnson, a two-time First Team choice, currently ranks third in all of NCAA DIII Field Hockey in save percentage (.874) and 15th in goals against average (1.03). Through 17 games this fall, the senior tri-captain has logged 1223 minutes with 125 saves and just 18 goals allowed. Johnson is 12-5 with five shutouts in goal this year and is the first SJC player to be named as the top defensive player in the conference.

The four-year starter ranks as the Monks' all-time leader in goalkeeper games (72), minutes (4995), victories (51), shutouts (16) and goals against average (1.26). She also owns the team's single-season marks for games, minutes, wins, shutouts, goals against average and save percentage.

Bartell also earned First Team All-NAC honors last fall and currently ranks second on the team in goals (7), points (20) and game-winning goals (3). For her career, the senior tri-captain ranks third in SJC field hockey history in game-winners (8), fourth in points (60), fifth in goals (21), and sixth in assists (18).

Cowin, a two-time NAC Player of the Week selection, has served as the engine for the Monks' offense with a team-leading 15 goals, including five game-clinchers, and 32 total points in 15 contests. She accounts for 35% of the Monks' goals this fall - the highest mark since Darcey Ward '08 netted 43% of the team's offensive output in 2006.

Locke is at the forefront of the Monks' formidable defense and leads the team with three defensive saves this fall. She has also contributed offensively with three goals and an assist for seven total points in 17 contests. Her play has helped the Royal Blue post the lowest team goals against average (1.03) in the NAC for the fourth consecutive season.

Saint Joseph's (12-5, 8-1 NAC), the second seed in the conference tourney, will host #3 New England College (11-8, 7-2 NAC) in a NAC Tournament Semifinal this afternoon at 2:00 PM. 

2011 NAC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS:

NAC RELEASE:

Castleton sophomore forward Rachel Preusser has been selected the 2011 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Field Hockey Player of the Year in a vote of the league's coaches. Preusser posted a league-leading 35 points on 14 goals and seven assists in conference play, leading the league's highest-scoring offense.

Saint Joseph's senior goalie Meaghan Johnson was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year. Johnson started all nine conference games in between the pipes for the Monks, posting a 1.11 goals against average, while going 8-1.

Castleton first-year midfielder Kristy Pinkham was honored as the league's top rookie, appearing in all nine games and scoring four goals while providing a pair of assists.

Castleton Head Coach Tammy Landon was voted Coach of the Year by her peers after piloting the Spartans to a perfect 9-0 mark in conference play. It is the fourth time Landon has been honored in her eight years at the helm of the Spartans.

For the third-straight season Rivier College has been honored with the league's Sportsmanship Award.