Posted: Oct 30, 2009

Burke, Michel, Stanley earn TCCC post-season honors

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University freshman Kelly Burke (Georgetown, Mass.) has been selected as The Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Year by the league's coaches. The first-year forward ranked second in goals scored (eight in eight games; 1.00 goals per game) behind only the player of the year, Taryn Flagg, from the University of New England. Kelly Burke

In addition to her rookie honor, Burke also earned a spot on the first team all-conference with Flagg and two other forwards. Burke's 15 goals overall rank her second on the schoool's record book for goals in a season, behind only Whitney Bushee '08 who tallied 18 during her rookie of the year campaign in 2004.

Burke recorded four game-winning goals this season including the Seahawks' first TCCC win of the year. Five of her eight goals in league play either tied the game or put the Seahawks in the lead.

"Kelly has brought great speed and ball control to our offensive attack," said fourth-year head coach Jennifer Eldridge. "Even when other teams started recognizing her as a weapon, she found a way to score or to set up a teammate."

Joining Burke on the all-conference squad are senior midfielder Andrea Michel (Yarmouth, Maine) and junior back Jillian Stanley (Watertown, Conn.). Michel, a co-captain, is a repeat performer on the second team all-TCCC while Stanley gets her first recognition.

Michel scored the first goal of her collegiate career as a senior, including a goal and two assists in conference play. Stanley tied for first in the league for defensive saves with five.

"Jill has started every game for us this season at our left defensive back," said Eldridge. "She is also a fixture on our defensive corner unit. Dre has been a complete player for us, a hard-worker who sets the example in practice and games."

Salve Regina (8-10; 3-5 TCCC) earned the No. 5 seed in The Commonwealth Coast Conference Field Hockey Championships and plays its quarterfinal game at No. 4 New England College in Henniker, N.H., on Saturday at 1 p.m.