RELEASE DATE: 11/21/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Diane Monkiewicz Named Division II Field Hockey Coach of the Year by www.womensfieldhockey.com – Ryanne Higgins Named All-American – Jenna Schaub, Carlyn Spangler and Breanne Tobin Named to All-Rookie Squad

MANSFIELD – Mansfield University field hockey head coach Diane Monkiewicz has been named the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by www.womensfieldhockey.com with Ryanne Higgins (Newtown/Council Rock) named to Second Team All-American honors.

Freshmen Jenna Schaub (Quarryville/Solanco), Carlyn Spangler (Valley Center, CA) and Breanne Tobin (Perkasie/Pennridge) were named to the All-Rookie Squad by the online website.

This season, her ninth at the helm of the Mountaineer program, Monkiewicz directed the Mountaineers to their first ever PSAC playoff berth.

Despite playing the second-toughest schedule in Division II, Mansfield was nationally ranked for most of the season and set a new school record with 61 goals. The Mountaineers finished the season with an 11-10 overall record, a five game improvement in wins over the previous season.

Higgins, who was named to NFHCA Division II All-American honors yesterday, Higgins ranked fifth in the nation in points per game (2.24), eighth in goals per game (.86) and fourth in assists per game (.52). The junior forward was also fifth in the PSAC in overall points (47) and goals (18) while finishing the season second in the conference in assists (11).

Schaub appeared in all 21 games this season where she was one of the lynchpins in the Mountaineers vastly improved defense.

Spangler started in 20 games at midfield as a freshman finishing fourth on the team in points (14) and goals (4).

Tobin, also named to NFHCA Division II All-American honors yesterday,  was ninth in Division II in goals per game (.81) and 13^th in points per game (1.81). She also ranked eighth in the PSAC in total points (38) and seventh in goals (17).