SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2013 Division III New England Field Hockey All-Stars and two Mount Holyoke College student-athletes have been recognized. Diana Banmann was selected to the First Team, while Kirsten Kilburn was a Second Team honoree.
Both juniors, the duo helped the Lyons post a Mount Holyoke an 18-3 overall mark, which was the second-most wins in program history (behind the 2002 team - 19-4) and the program record for fewest losses. The squad was also among the nation's best in a number of categories, finishing second in save percentage (.862) and fifth in both scoring margin (2.85) and winning percentage (.857).
A forward from Hanover, Germany, Banmann tallied a team-high 32 goals with four assists for a squad-best 68 points as a starter in all 21 contests. She also posted team-best numbers in shots (128), shots on goal (95) and game-winning goals (7). Additionally, Banmann, who earned NEWMAC Offensive Performer of the Week four times during 2013, ranked second in Division III in goals per game (1.52) and was sixth in points per game (3.24).
Banmann tallied at least one goal in 16 of 20 contests, including three or more in five contests. Her hat tricks were clutch for the Lyons, coming in a 10-0 win over Regis (8/31), a 7-1 victory at Nichols (9/5), a 3-2 overtime win against Amherst, a 4-2 decision at Springfield (10/12) and a 6-2 victory at then-#19 MIT (10/26).
Among the NEWMAC's best, Banmann ranked first in goals and shots on goal and was second in points and shots, while finishing third in game-winning tallies. In addition to earning NEWMAC All-Conference First Team honors, Banmann was named to the Longstreth/NFHCA All-New England East Region First Team selection and a Longstreth/NFHCA Division III Third Team All-American.
A junior midfielder and captain from North Branford, Conn., Kilburn was second on the squad in scoring with 57 points on a squad-best 19 assists and 19 goals. She ranked second in the nation and led the conference in assists per game (0.90). Additionally, Kilburn was 15th in points per game (2.71) among Division III's best.
Kilburn tallied at least one goal in 12 contests, including a four-tally effort in an 8-0 victory against Western New England University (9/14). One of the conference's toughest two-way players, Kilburn posted an assist in 12 games this season. Among her many accolades this season included All-New England East Region First Team honors and her first Division III All-America Second Team selection.
A NEWMAC All-Conference First Team selection in each of the past two seasons, she set a number of records during the 2013 season. Kilburn tied the all-time record for goals in a game (4) and hit the top mark for most points in a game with 10 (4 goals/2 assists). Additionally, she became the program's record holder for assists in a season.
Kilburn, who is a former standout at North Branford High School, has played in 59 contests (58 as a starter). She has amassed 133 points on 49 goals and 35 assists. Amongst the program's all-time leaders, Kilburn ranks second in assists and third in both goals and points.
