Four newcomers and five returnees honored for their efforts on and off the field

RINDGE, N.H. (March 4, 2003) - Nine members of the Franklin Pierce field hockey team were named to the 2002-2003 Division II National Academic Squad by the National Field Hockey Association of America (NFCHA) this afternoon.

Seniors Stephanie Bradley (Warrington, Pa./Miller Place), Sara Cheeseman (Chester, Conn./Valley Regional), and Kelly Henry (Wyoming, R.I./Chariho Regional); junior Patty Byrne (Tiverton, R.I./Tiverton); sophomore April Demers (Gorham, N.H./Gorham); and freshmen Courtney Boardman (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle), Kara LaSalle (Gilford, N.H./Gilford), Anna Ranney (Newport, N.H./Newport) and Alissa Silverman (East Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) represent the program record number of selections. In fact, the nine honorees this year more than double the previous total over the last two years (five combined).

"I think it's a credit to these young women that had such a strong showing not only in Division II, but also among the schools in the Northeast-10 Conference," said Head Coach Judy Heddy. "I am really proud that one-third of the team applied themselves so well in the classroom."

Bradley and Henry earned their third-straight spot on the NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad after being named to the squad last season, while Demers earns her second straight award.

Bradley, a tri-captain and forward on the 2002 squad, started all 14 games played last fall. She registered a team-best five goals to go along with one assist for 11 points, which ranked second on the team.

She ended her career with 12 goals and seven assists for 31 points in 64 career matches, which ranks first in program history. Her 12-career goals rank third all-time, while her seven assists rank fifth. Her 31 career points rank fourth in program history. Bradley is majoring in elementary education with a minor in mathematics and boasts a -3.74 cumulative grade point average.

Henry, also a starting forward, is one of the team's top playmakers in program history. She posted three goals and three assists for nine points last season, which ranked third on the team. She also became the schools all-time assist leader as surpassed former All-American Kristen Clarke with 11 career assists.

Henry is majoring in environmental science with a minor in chemistry and sports a 3.99 GPA. She was the first student-athlete in program history to earn Verizon Distict I Academic All-America honors last year and was a Woody Hayes Division II Scholar-Athlete of the Year nominee this winter.

Cheeseman was named to the NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad for the first time in her career. Cheeseman was one of the cornerstones on the Ravens defense, bringing four years of experience to the young defensive unit. She was not only an intrigal part of this year's defense, but also part of defense that yielded just 1.83 goals per game in Franklin Pierce's first season in the Northeast-10 Conference. Cheeseman is majoring in history and criminal justice and has a 3.46 cumulative GPA.

Byrne earns her first spot on the NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad after being a key bench player on the Ravens defense this season. Byrne appeared in ten games and was a part of a Ravens defense that yielded just 2.64 goals per match. An English major, Byrne sports a 3.32 GPA.

Demers earns her second straight NFHCA Division II National Academic honor. Demers started all 14 games on the Ravens defense this season. Demers is majoring in mass communications with a minor in theatre and has a 3.68 GPA.

Boardman, LaSalle, Ranney and Silverman round out the group, earning their first spots on the NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad.

Boardman saw action in four games off the bench last fall. A mass communications major, Boardman sports a 3.75 GPA.

LaSalle started all 14 games on the Ravens defense and was a key playmaker in her collegiate debut. LaSalle has a 3.44 GPA.

Ranney appeared in ten games with six starts in the Franklin Pierce midfield. Ranney is majoring in pre-law and has a 3.41 GPA.

Silverman, a forward, was one of the team's top newcomers as she appeared in 13 games with nine starts. She tallied two goals and two assists, including a marker against nationally-ranked UMass Lowell. Silverman is majoring in communications and boasts a 3.85 GPA.

Franklin Pierce finished the 2003 season with a 4-10 record overall, 4-6 in the Northeast-10 Conference.