BIDDEFORD, Maine -- University of New England first-year midfielder Hannah Tavella (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) has been named The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Rookie of the Year in voting done by the conference's nine head field hockey coaches. TCCC Commissioner Gregg M. Kaye made the official announcement this afternoon.

Additionally, senior midfielder Michaela Franey (York, Maine) was selected first team all-TCCC and junior forward Bree Tupper (Winthrop, Maine) earned a spot on the second team. Senior back Whitney Tostenson (Claremont, N.H.) received an honorable mention nod.

Tavella, who was twice named TCCC Rookie of the Week (Oct. 11 and Oct. 18), finished league play tied for first in assists per game (0.88). During the regular season, she notched four goals and seven assists -- more helpers than any other first-year player in program history. In a 4-3 overtime win against UMaine Farmington, Tavella had a hand in three of the scores with a pair of goals and one assist.

Named to the first team for the second straight season, Franey leads the Big Blue offense with 20 goals and 10 assists for a total of 50 points. In TCCC contests, she ranked first in points per game (4.50), tied for first in goals per game (1.88), and third in assists per game (0.75). Franey was chosen TCCC Offensive Player of the Week on October 11, following her record-setting performance two days prior. Her six goals and 15 points in a 13-0 win against Regis broke UNE single-game records in both categories, and the points total stood up as six points higher than the next best individual effort of any TCCC player this season.

Back on the all-TCCC team after a first-team selection a year ago, Tupper is second on the squad in goals (10), assists (7), and points (27). Opening the season with a hat trick and an assist during a 5-4 overtime victory over Southern Maine, she was honored as TCCC Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 6. Despite missing two games with an injury, Tupper has scored in half (8) of the Nor'easters' 16 matches.

Tostenson started in 15 of 16 games for a defense that limited conference opponents to just 12 shot attempts and less than nine penalty corners per contest. Frequently coming up with timely stops of the opponent's fast-break opportunities, she also recorded one defensive save this season.

For a complete release of the TCCC All-Conference teams and major award winners, click here.