Field Hockey Earns Two LEC All-Conference Awards

Van Ahnen and Bartalamia collect post season honors for Falcons

FITCHBURG, Mass (November 17, 2009) - Junior Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) and senior Paula Bartalamia (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury) represented the Fitchburg State field hockey team as the duo earned Little East All-Conference honors this past week.

Van Ahnen collected her first post-season nomination after being named to the Little East All-Conference first team for her play between the pipes. This season, Van Ahnen served as the backbone of the Fitchburg State defense, recording a minimal 0.97 goals against average (GAA) and six shutouts over 15 games played. The standout net-minder ended the season with an 11-4 record with 95 saves, while ranking second in the LEC in save percentage (.864), second in shutouts (6), and fifth in saves per game (6.33/g).

Bartalamia joins Van Ahnen on the Little East All-Conference team after earning second team honors this season. Bartalamia fueled a high-powered Fitchburg State offense this year, ranking first on the squad with 29 points, 13 goals and three assists. The senior captain notched six game-winning goals, while leading the Falcons to a Little East Conference playoff berth.

Throughout her solid four-year career, Bartalamia saw action in 63 games, ranking eighth all-time with 19 career goals, seven assists and 45 points (10th all-time). This season, Bartalamia made her name know within the conference, ranking fourth overall in points per game and fourth overall in goals scored.

The Fitchburg State field hockey posted a record breaking season throughout its 2009 campaign, advancing to the Little East Conference semifinals for the first time in program history. The Falcons boasted an overall record of 14-5 with a 9-2 mark in the LEC as 12th year head coach Beth Bacher collected her 100th career victory.