March 3, 2009

LOWELL, Mass. (Mar. 3, 2008) – Eight members of the UMass Lowell field hockey team were named to the 2008 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II National Academic Team, the association announced Monday.

Seniors Missy Seeley (East Hampstead, N.H.) and Sasha Lovejoy (Kennebunk, Maine) were named for the fourth straight year. Molly Clay (Rockport, Mass.) was picked for the third consecutive year.

Sophomore Lizzy Ales (Arlington, Mass.) made the squad for the second straight year. Classmates Amy Carbon (Bellingham, Mass.), Katie Enaire (Amesbury, Mass.) and Kate Hickey (Medway, Mass.) joined Ales on the team.

Freshman Abby Auld (Waltham, Mass.) made the squad as a freshman.

Seeley, the 2008 Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year, had another solid season for UMass Lowell, posting 25 points on six goals and 13 assists. Defensively Seeley played a key role in the squad’s nine team shutouts.

Lovejoy made 14 appearances for the River Hawks in 2008.

Clay played in, and started, all 25 games during her junior year in the midfield for the River Hawks. She had two goals and five assists for nine points.

Ales totaled three goals and four assists (10 points) in 18 games as a sophomore. Enaire followed up her Rookie of the Year season with 31 points (14 goals, 3 assists) in 25 games.

Carbon became the regular starter in goal during her sophomore year. She made 23 appearances and posted a 15-3 record with three shutouts.

Auld contributed four goals in 17 games as a freshman.

In addition to the eight individuals named to the squad, the entire team was recognized for posting a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

The River Hawks finished the 2008 season 20-5 and made their fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. UML captured the 2008 Northeast-10 regular season with a 17-1 regular season conference record.