Freshman midfielder making an early impact for the Skyhawks

EASTON, Mass. (March 21, 2011) – Stonehill College freshman midfielder Kelsey Shannahan (Mendham, N.J./Morris Catholic) has been named the Northeast-10 Conference Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week by the conference office for the week of March 14-20.

Shannahan tallied four goals, six ground balls and three caused turnovers as the Skyhawks claimed a pair of non-conference victories in Winter Park, Fla. In a come-from-behind 11-9 victory over Rollins College, Shannahan caused two turnovers and scooped three ground balls, and converted a free-position shot in the second half as part of a 7-1 Stonehill run that brought the Skyhawks back from a halftime deficit to take the lead for good. She followed with her highest-scoring performance of the season as she netted three goals in a 23-5 win over Shepherd University.

Shannahan has started all five games for the Skyhawks this season, recording six goals and an assist, and ranks second on the team in caused turnovers (9) and ground balls (14). At 5-0, the Skyhawks are off to their best start since the 2007 season and lead the conference in caused turnovers with an average of 13.4 per game, and also field one of the conference's top offenses with a mark of 17 goals per game.

Stonehill, currently ranked ninth in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II national poll, next visits Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.