11/4/08

Barker named NAC Player of the Year

University of Maine at Farmington senior goalkeeper Kaeleigh Barker (Chichester, NH) was named the North Atlantic Conference Field Hockey Player of the Year as announced by the conference today.

Barker -- the first Beaver to win the award since Fawn Albert in 2002 -- is a three-time All-NAC First Team honoree, who ranks nationally in save percentage (17th, .830) and saves per game (41st, 7.8), allowed just four goals during conference play posting a 0.56 goals-per-game average leading the Beavers to a 5-1 conference mark.

Barker was joined on All-NAC First Team by senior defender Erika Lucas (Augusta, ME) and sophomore midfielder Emma Deans (Gorham, ME). Senior back Samantha Kenison (Gorham, NH) and junior midfielder Ashley Wentworth (North Berwick, ME) were named to the All-NAC Second Team.

NAC All-Conference selections are determined by a vote of the conference coaches. Additional players honored are due to ties in the voting.

Lucas -- also a three-time selection to the All-NAC First Team -- anchors the defense and handles penalty corners for the Beavers, while overall team leader in scoring Deans scored twice and assisted on a goal in NAC play.

Kenison, another defense anchor, scored her two goals this season in conference play with Wentworth supplying an assist and solid midfield play.

The Beavers finished their season at 8-8 after dropping a 1-0 decision to St. Joseph's College in the NAC semifinals Saturday in Farmington.