Antonelli Named LEC Field Hockey Rookie of the Year, Carlson Tabbed Coach of the Year and Six Lancers Earn All-Conference Honors

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – Worcester State University's freshman forward Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) has been named the Little East Conference (LEC) Rookie of the Year as the conference announced the All-Conference teams and major awards voted by the league's 12 head coaches Tuesday (Nov. 8) afternoon.

Antonelli was named the LEC Rookie of the Week three times this season (9/12, 9/19, 10/3). Antonelli helped the Lancers reach new heights in 2016, winning 13 games (the most since 2002), including a 9-2 LEC record. Antonelli led the Lancers with 13 goals scored and finished second on the team with 30 total points. 

The LEC coaches selected Worcester State's Interim Head Coach Alexa Carlson as Coach of the Year for the 2016 season. Carlson was named interim in August and led the Lancers to 13 victories, which are the most wins for the program since they finished 13-9 in 2002.

The Little East Conference compiles three All-Conference teams as voted on by the field hockey head coaches from our 12 institutions. The teams are comprised of four forwards, three midfielders, three defenders and concludes with one goalkeeper. The All-Conference teams consist of 19 student-athletes earning All-LEC honors for the first time.

Worceser State's Hayley Sutherland (Tewksbury, Mass.) earned a spot on the first team as a defender as she scored five goals and assisted three. Her highlight of the year was when she was featured on ESPN's top-10 sports for a spectacular arching shot off a penalty corner. The LEC Rookie of the Year, Antonelli, was slotted on the second team along with teammates Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.), Meghan Pini (Natick, Mass.), and Kathryn Salemme (Acton, Mass.). Worcester State's senior forward, Kayla Quinn (Sutton, Mass.) earned a spot on the third team All-Conference as a midfielder.

2016 Offensive Player of the Year
Sami Smith
Keene State College 

2016 Defensive Player of the Year
Marita Brothers
Keene State College

2016 Rookie of the Year
Olivia Antonelli
Worcester State

2016 Coach of the Year
Alexa Carlson
Worcester State

2016 Little East Conference | First Team All-Conference     

2016 Little East Conference | Second Team All-Conference

2016 Little East Conference | Third Team All-Conference

Portions of this Release Courtesy of LEC Media Relations