deSimas named NEC coach of the year; Albanes honored

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Nov. 1, 2007) – Saint Francis University’s Liz deSimas was named Northeast Conference field hockey coach of the year on Thursday evening at the league’s annual pre-tournament awards banquet.  deSimas, now in her fourth season with the Red Flash, has guided her program to the best record in school history (4-12) as well as its first-ever berth in the NEC tournament.

“I’m excited to get it but this really is a reflection on the team,” said deSimas.  “It really is an honor to be recognized this way by your peers after all of the work we’ve done over the past four years, but our players should get most of the credit for this.”

“However, we still have a lot of work to do.”

SFU junior forward Belen Albanes (Atlanta, Ga./Dunwoody) was also honored with a selection to all-NEC second team.  Albanes had a stellar regular season on the turf for the Flash, winding up second overall in the conference in points per game (1.50) and goals per game (0.71).  She is also tied for first in the NEC

“Belen has been such a huge part of the development of our program, and I’m really excited that she was honored at this level,” said deSimas.  “She’s a clutch player who does what we need when we need her to, and this is really a great recognition for her.”

Saint Francis plays its first-ever post-season game on Friday when they play at top-seeded Lock Haven at 11 a.m.