SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Nichols College first-year attacker Krista-Jean Forand (Plymouth, Mass.) has been named the 2009 The Commonwealth Coast Conference Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Year, it was announced Thursday by TCCC Commissioner Gregg M. Kaye.

Forand was a standout performer during her inaugural season at Nichols, and has already made her mark in the Bison's record books. In 13 total games played, Forand scored 36 of Nichols' 85 total goals, while assisting on 10 others for a team-high 46 points. During conference-only play, Forand scored 15 of her team's 37 goals, while adding three assists, for a team-best 18 points. 

After just one season, Forand's mark in the Nichols record books is evident, as she already ranks ninth in career goals and is tied for fifth in career assists. Her 46 points stand as the fourth-highest single-season total and her 36 goals were the fifth-most in a season in program history. Her 10 assists in a season rank tied for second most.

Forand was twice named the TCCC Rookie of the Week during the season, including on April 13, after a 21-point effort during a three-game span. Forand had eight goals and an assist in a 17-6 win over Daniel Webster, and followed up with a career-high 10 points (six goals, four assists) in a 14-4 win over Anna Maria. She also had a goal and an assist in a loss at Endicott.

Nichols finished the season with a 3-10 overall record and was 0-9 in TCCC games.

Voting for the TCCC major awards and All-TCCC teams was conducted among TCCC women's lacrosse coaches.