Paladino Named NEWMAC Player of the Year; Kelly and Fredlund Also Honored

BABSON PARK, Mass. -- The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced its 2009 postseason field hockey awards on Tuesday, and Babson College senior captain Jessica Paladino (Turner, Maine) became just the second player in program history to earn conference Player of the Year honors. Paladino was also named All-NEWMAC First Team along with junior captain Colleen Kelly (Milton, Mass.) and junior Sarah Fredlund (New Preston, Conn.). In addition, Babson received the conference's Sportsmanship Award, which is voted on by players from each team around the league.

A Second Team selection as a sophomore and a First Team honoree last fall, Paladino earned All-Conference and Player of the Year honors after yet another spectacular season. The senior forward ranked second on the team and in the league with 19 goals and 48 points, and she led the Beavers and ranked third in the NEWMAC with 10 assists. With 51 goals and 23 assists for 125 points in her outstanding career, she now ranks second on Babson's all-time goals and points lists and fifth in assists. She is Babson's second-ever Player of the Year selection, joining former two-time All-American and 2005 Division III scoring champion Elise Conley '06.

Fredlund and Kelly also enjoyed stellar seasons this fall, as both garnered All-Conference First Team recognition. Fredlund led the NEWMAC in scoring with 21 goals and seven assists for 49 points - the third highest single-season goal and point total in program history. Also an All-NEWMAC Second Team selection as a first-year in 2007, Fredlund already ranks fourth on Babson's all-time goals and points lists with 41 goals and 17 assists for 99 points in her three-year career. Meanwhile, Kelly once again anchored the Beavers' midfield this fall, as she ranked third on the team with 12 goals and eight assists for 32 points. An All-NEWMAC and All-New England honoree last fall, Kelly now boasts 23 goals and 25 assists for 71 points in her career, and she currently ranks fourth on Babson's career assist list.

With Paladino, Fredlund, and Kelly leading the way, Babson went 11-8 this fall while sporting the league's top scoring offense at 3.81 goals per game.