FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The 2010 field hockey team celebrated its most successful outing of the decade. This year's nine victories surpassed the amount of wins they collected in the last two years combined, making it the most successful campaign since 2001 when they won 11 contests. While the Stags fell just short of reaching the America East Tournament there were many individual and team efforts to be celebrated.

            After a tough start in their first three games, the Stags won six of the next seven, which included victories over Missouri State, Lehigh, Sacred Heart, Siena, Holy Cross, and Brown.

            “We've had one of our most successful season in years mostly due to the hard work of our student-athletes and the strong leadership of our five seniors.” Head Coach Jackie Kane lauded. “Their dedication and enthusiasm for Stag success is a driving force for our team on and off the field.”

            All five seniors, Amanda Sullivan (Somers, N.Y.), Julianne Bosse (S. Plainfield, N.J.), Melanie Leo (Mountaintop, Pa.), Anne Nieuwenhuis (Leidschendam, Netherlands), and Michelle Onofrio (Newton Square, Pa.) started every game for the Stags this season. Amanda Sullivan was second on the team in goals with eight and points with 20, while Nieuwenhuis was third with six goals and 14 points. Nieuwenhuis also made five defensive saves to the lead America East. Melanie Leo led the team with eight assists, good for fourth in the conference and finished fourth on the team with 10.

            The seniors have set the standard for success leaving the program in the hands of driven underclassmen. They will leave behind junior Marit Westenberg (The Hague, Netherlands) who finished the season as the team;s top scorer with 11 goals and 28 points, both of which ranked her fifth in the league. She was also named America East Player of the Week, NFHCA All-Mideast Region Second Team, All-America East Second Team and America East Unanimous All-Academic Team for the third consecutive year. Five different freshmen recorded at least one point for the Stags, including Shealyn Testa (Derry, N.H.) who was the only freshman to start all 19 games this year and picked up America East Rookie of the Week, and a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team. In goal, sophomore Maddy Sposito (Ridgefield, Conn.) started 16 of 17 contests and posted a 2.32 GAA. Her 110 saves in over 1100 minutes of play earned her second in the conference. 

            The 2010 field hockey team certainly made strides this season, and thanks to the seniors' leadership and commitment, the future is bright for the Stags.