Jaksina, Levins, Haight Named All-Northeast-10; Field Hockey Has Five Honored by Conference

Lepore, Libby land on All-Rookie Team

Northeast-10 All-Conference Teams

RINDGE, N.H. (October 27, 2011) – Senior midfielder Kim Jaksina (Townsend, Mass.) and senior forward Tia Levins (Manchester, Maine) of the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team were both selected to the All-Northeast-10 Conference First Team, as announced Thursday by the Conference office. In addition, senior back Beth Haight (Hamlin, N.Y.) was named to the All-Northeast-10 Second Team, while freshman back Brittany Lepore (Barnstable, Mass.) and freshman midfielder Taylor Libby (Sidney, Maine) earned All-Rookie Team selections.

A contributor at both ends of the field, Jaksina leads the nation in defensive saves (8), while hitting double-digits in points for the third straight year with four goals (including two game-winners) and six assists for 14 points. The six assists puts Jaksina 27th in the country in assists per game (0.33). The eight defensive saves established a new program single-season record.

A tri-captain this season, Jaksina leaves the program as its all-time leader in defensive saves (14). She is one of four members of the school's 20-goal club, finishing with 20, and also finishes in the top five in school history in points (49). It is the third All-Northeast-10 selection for Jaksina, who was named to the First Team in 2010 and the Second Team in 2009.

Levins leads the Northeast-10 in game-winning goals (6), while ranking third in goals (17) and sixth in points (36). The 17 goals and 36 points both established new program single-season records. She currently ranks eighth in the nation in goals per game (0.94) and 14th in points per game (2.00). Four times during the season, Levins was selected to the Northeast-10 Weekly Honor Roll.

After having just five goals through the end of her sophomore season, Levins put home 29 goals over her final two seasons in Rindge to finish as the program's all-time leader in both goals (34) and points (73). It is her second All-Northeast-10 selection, after she was named to the Second Team last season. Levins is also a three-time NFHCA Academic Squad member and two-time Northeast-10 Academic All-Conference selection, and is a candidate for both awards again this season.

Arguably the best back in program history, tri-captain Haight anchored a Ravens backline which ranked fourth in the Northeast-10 in fewest shots on goal allowed per game (7.84). Perhaps speaking more to the ability of the backline to keep shot attempts away from the cage, 48.1% of shot attempts taken by the opposition were either forced wide of the target or blocked by the Franklin Piece defense before they could get to the goalkeeper. That percentage is the third-best in the Northeast-10, trailing only Merrimack (48.2%) and Massachusetts Lowell (52.9%). Normally the defender pressuring the ball, rather than the last line of defense near the cage, Haight recorded her only defensive save of the season in Wednesday night's Northeast-10 Championship quarterfinal against Stonehill. She was a three-time selection as Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Week in 2011, more than any other player in the league.

Among the top-tier backs in the Northeast-10 from her collegiate debut, Haight is a four-year starter who missed only three games in her career, two of which came as a freshman. She finishes her career tied for third in school history with six career defensive saves.

It is the first All-Conference selection for Haight, who was one of just four true backline players among the 24 players selected for All-Conference honors by the Conference's head coaches. Of the four, only one was named to the First Team.

A two-way player in the midfield, Libby played in all 19 games, including 18 starts, for the Ravens. She finished with one point on an assist, while contributing to the team defensive stats mentioned above. Though overshadowed by others statistically, Libby, who served as the Ravens' primary injector on penalty corners, contributed to an offense that ranks fifth in the Northeast-10 in goals per game (2.2).

Lepore started all 19 games for the Ravens on the right side of Haight's backline. A contributor to the team defensive stats mentioned above, Lepore finished the season with two defensive saves.

Franklin Pierce finished the season 10-9 (7-3 Northeast-10) and in third place in the Northeast-10, the highest finish in program annals. It is the second time the team has finished above .500 overall, joining an 11-7 campaign in 2000. By winning percentage, the 7-3 (.700) Northeast-10 record trails only 2000's record of 7-2 (.778).

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics).