PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Western Connecticut State University earned three of the conference’s four individual awards this afternoon when the Little East Conference announced its annual end of the season honors and all-conference teams. Junior forward Catherine Nathans, senior goalkeeper Jenna Cappellieri, and Joe Mingachos were named Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year, respectively. Keene State freshman striker Katie Bradford was tabbed Rookie of the Year.

Nathans became just the second student-athlete in the conference’s history to win consecutive Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards and third in Western Connecticut State University’s program. The New Fairfield, Conn. product led the conference circuit in points (35), goals (14), and game-winning goals (7), while sharing third place in assists (7). Nathans scored a season-high five points at Rhode Island College on Sept. 29. She was selected the Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Week once on the campaign.

Cappellieri is the first player in Little East Conference history to repeat as the defensive player of the year. The Stratford, Conn. native sat atop the conference standings in goals against average (0.59) and shutouts (9), while second in save percentage (.879). Cappellieri backstopped a stifling Western Connecticut defense, which allowed just 0.60 goals per game and recorded a conference-high 14 shutouts. She did not allow a goal in 11 straight appearances, a streak spanning between Sept. 22 and Oct. 27, 2007. Cappellieri was recognized as the Little East Conference Defensive Player of the Week twice.

Bradford is just the third Keene State College student-athlete to be named the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year. The Lebanon, N.H. product ranks sixth in the conference in points, registering nine goals and four assists for 24 points. Bradford recorded a season-high five points, including two markers, against Southern Maine on Sept. 15. She was honored as the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week twice.

Mingachos led Western Connecticut to its second straight Little East Conference Tournament Championship and seventh in the program’s history. The Colonials posted an overall record of 17-2-1, including a 5-1 mark in the conference. He led his charges to the top-ranked offense, averaging three markers per game, and defense, allowing just 12 goals all season. Mingachos was also named the 2006 Little East Conference Coach of the Year.

Western Connecticut placed a conference-high eight student-athletes on the all-conference teams, including six on the top squad. Eastern Connecticut State University and Rhode Island College each earned five selections, while Keene State College had three honorees. UMass Dartmouth and the University of Southern Maine earned two picks, while UMass Boston had one player garner recognition.