Fitchburg State Earns Third-Seed In LEC Playoffs

# 3 Fitchburg State hosts # 6 Southern Maine, Tuesday November 3 at 4 p.m.

PAULA BARTALAMIA

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 2, 2009)- The Fitchburg State field hockey team earned the third-seed in the 2009 Little East Conference playoffs and will host the University of Southern Maine in quarterfinal action on Tuesday, November 3 at 4 p.m.

The winner of tomorrow's contest will advance to the Little East Conference semifinals to face the winner of top-seeded Keene State College and eighth-seeded Salem State College. Keene State has posted an overall record of 16-4 this season, while Salem State ended the regular season with an 8-8 clip.

Fitchburg State, led by head coach Beth Bacher, is coming off one of its most successful regular seasons after posting an overall record of 13-4 with a 9-2 mark in the Little East. The Falcons closed out the regular season this past weekend, defeating Southern Maine, 2-1 while giving Bacher her 100th career victory.

This season, Fitchburg State has possessed a three-headed attack, receiving outstanding offensive play from senior Paula Bartalamia (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury), junior Megan Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) and freshman Jamie Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex). The trio has combined for 69 points, posting 25 goals (8 game-winners) and 19 assists.

JAMIE KELLEY

Bartalamia has been the top Falcon scorers, registering career-marks with 27 points, 12 goals and three assists. The senior captain has accounted for five game-winning goals, while ranking among conference leaders in points (5th), goals (4th), and game-winning markers (4th).

Jacobs has also had a sensational season for Fitchburg State, ranking second on the team in total offense. The junior forward has followed up a solid rookie season with a career-high eight goals, eight assists and 24 points. She has netted three game-winning goals, while amassing a team-best 55 shots.

Rounding out Fitchburg State's offensive firepower is the reigning Little East Conference Rookie of the Week, Jamie Kelley. Kelley receives her first LEC weekly honor after leading the Falcons to a 2-0 week with three goals and six points. This season, Kelley has sparked the Fitchburg State offense, ranking third in scoring with five goals, eight assists (6th in LEC), and 18 points.

On the defensive side, junior Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) has been solid in the cage, leading Fitchburg State with three, Little East Conference Goalie of the Week honors. The second-year net-minder has posted a career year with 83 saves, a 0.75 goals against average (GAA), a .892 save percentage and six shutouts. Van Ahnen has been one of the top goaltenders in the LEC, ranking first in save percentage, second in shutouts, second in GAA, and fourth in saves.

For more information regarding the Little East Conference playoffs or Fitchburg State athletics, please contact Sports Information Director, Keith Brouillard via email at kbrouil3@fsc.edu.

2009 Little East Conference Tournament Bracket

QUARTERFINALS:
GAME 1: #8 Salem State (8-8) at #1 Keene State (16-4), 6 pm
GAME 2: #7 Plymouth State (10-7) at #2 UMass Dartmouth (12-6), 6 pm
GAME 3: #6 Southern Maine (10-9) at #3 Fitchburg State (13-4), 4 pm
GAME 4: #5 Bridgewater State (9-7) at #4 Framingham State (14-3), 2 pm

SEMIFINALS:
GAME 5: Winner GAME1 vs. Winner GAME 3, TBA
GAME 6: Winner GAME 2 vs. Winner GAME 4, TBA

FINALS:
GAME: 7: Winner GAME 5 vs. Winner GAME 6, TBA