Falcons Collect Trio Of Field Hockey Honors

Bartalamia named to NFHCA New England West Region second team;
Van Ahnen collects ECAC New England Region and womensfieldhockey.com honors

FITCHBURG, Mass (November 30, 2009) - The Fitchburg State field hockey team was recognized once again this past week as a pair of athletes received three post-season honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) and womensfieldhockey.com.

Junior Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) continued to add to her post-season resume after being named to the ECAC New England Region All-Star second team and womensfieldhocky.com's All-American third team. Van Ahnen, the recipient of three, post-season honors, was also named to the Little East Conference (LEC) All-Conference first team for her stellar play between the pipes this season.

During her 2009-10 campaign, 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).

Senior Paula Bartalamia (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury) earned her second post-season honor of the year after being named to the prestigious 2009 Longstreth/NFHCA Division III New England West All-Region second team. Bartalamia, a LEC All-Conference second team honoree, fueled the 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.

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 and five post-season awards, as 12th year head coach Beth Bacher collected her 100th career victory.