Ravens name seven players to NFHCA All-Academic squad

RINDGE, N.H. (February 21, 2007) – The Franklin Pierce field hockey team received academic recognition on Tuesday afternoon as seven players were named to the 2006 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Academic Squad. This marks the fourth time in the past five years the program has received academic honors.

Seniors Angela Barone (Norwood, Pa./Interboro) and Nicole McKinnon (Northfield, N.H./Winnisquam) head the list of academic recipients, earning their fourth consecutive national honor, while classmate Corinne Goulet (Biddeford, Maine/Biddeford) and junior Elizabeth Ellis (Turner, Maine/Leavitt) receive recognition for the third-straight season. Sophomore Jennifer Provencher (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) collects her second academic accolade, while classmate Trish Slowinski (Colrain, Mass./Mohawk Regional) and freshman Samantha Newman (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) round out the recipients with their first career honor.

Franklin Pierce is one of 19 Division II programs to achieve a team grade point average over 3.0 for the first semester of the 2006-07 academic year. The Ravens were one of eight Northeast-10 programs to receive recognition from the NFHCA. Joining Franklin Pierce as Academic Squads are American International College, Assumption College, Bryant University, UMass Lowell, Saint Michael’s College, Southern Connecticut State and Stonehill College.

Barone has earned a 3.77 cumulative grade point average, including a 3.929 GPA this past semester, while majoring in music production at Franklin Pierce. She is a two-time Northeast-10 All-Academic selection and is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Honor Society. The senior captain has been a four year letterwinner for the Franklin Pierce midfield, serving as captain for the 2006 season. She finished her career ranked first all-time with 70 matches played for the Ravens, while starting 67. This season, Barone started all 18 games, totaling seven points on two goals (one game-winner) and three assists.

McKinnon has registered a 3.375 grade point average, including a 3.534 this past semester, while majoring in English. The senior midfielder finished her career ranked third all-time with 67 matches played. McKinnon contributed to the record-setting Ravens defense that limited its opponents to just 1.40 goals per game in 2003. In 2004, she recorded her first collegiate goal vs. Stonehill College. This season, McKinnon has appeared in 13 games, starting 12. She has totaled three points on one goal and one assist.

Goulet has recorded a 3.398 cumulative grade point average while majoring in Mass Communications. Goulet has been a three-year letterwinner for the Ravens defensive line. She has appeared in 27 career games, starting 13. In 2005, Goulet appeared in 18 games for the Ravens, starting 13. She served as part of a defensive unit that held opponents to only 2.19 goals per game.

Ellis has registered a team-best 3.844 cumulative grade point average while majoring in marketing. Ellis collected Northeast-10 All-Academic team honors earlier this season and is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Honor Society. In 2004, the junior captain was named a Commissioner’s Honor Roll Gold Scholar, while earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average during her spring semester. Ellis has appeared in 54 games for the Ravens, starting 49. This season, the junior mid-fielder started all 18 games, registering five points on a goal and three assists.

Provencher has earned a 3.548 cumulative grade point average while earning a 3.459 GPA this past semester. The sophomore forward has appeared in 33 career games for the Ravens, starting five. This season, Provencher has appeared in 16 games, totaling four points on two goals scored.

Slowinski has recorded a 3.468 cumulative grade point average throughout her career, posting a 3.666 GPA this past semester. She has registered seven total points on three goals and one assist in 34 career games. During a solid 2006 season, Slowinski ranked third on the team in scoring with three goals for six points.

Newman has notched a 3.812 grade point average in her first collegiate semester, while majoring in elementary education. In her rookie season, Newman started all 17 games for the Ravens, aiding a defensive unit that allowed only 2.89 goals per game.

Franklin Pierce ended the 2006 season with an overall record of 6-12 and a 6-10 mark in the Northeast-10.