ECAC Announces 2016 Division III South Field Hockey All-Stars
DANBURY, Conn. - The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2016 Division III South Field Hockey All-Star team.
Gwynedd Mercy University junior Melissa Russo garnered the Offensive Player of the Year honor, while Marywood University junior Tori Jo Kakusian received Defensive Player of the Year. Rowan University freshman Bridget Boyle was tabbed Rookie of the Year and Salisbury University Head Coach Dawn Chamberlin was named Coach of the Year.
Russo was chosen to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III South Atlantic Region First Team. This is the second year in a row she has earned all-region honors after a second-team selection last season. Russo becomes the second Griffin to earn a first-team distinction in program history. The junior led the conference in points (61), points per game (3.21), goals (27), goals per game (1.421) and game-winning goals (7), en route to being named the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Player of the Year.
Kakusian was selected as the CSAC Defensive Player of the Year. This marks her third-straight first-team selection. This season she was a three-time CSAC Defensive Player of the Week selection and received NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention. Her 12 defensive saves rank fourth in Division III as well as her 29 career defensive saves are second all-time in CSAC history, just four shy from tying the conference record. The junior concluded the 2016 campaign with 11 goals, three of which were game-winners and four assists all for a total of 26 points. She led Marywood's defensive unit to five shutouts.
Boyle earned NFHCA All-Region Second Team honors and was also selected as the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie of the Year. The freshman was the Profs' top scorer with 39 points. She produced 17 goals and five assists. She was selected as NJAC Rookie of the Week three times and ECAC South Rookie of the Week twice.
Chamberlin was named the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Coach of the Year for the 15th time in her career. She led the Sea Gulls to a fourth straight CAC title and to an 18-2 mark and a perfect 6-0 record in conference play. The Sea Gulls registered a flawless 10-0 mark at home.
2016 ECAC Division III South Field Hockey All-Star Team
Offensive Player of the Year
Melissa Russo, Jr., Gwynedd Mercy University
Defensive Player of the Year
Tori Jo Kakusian, Jr., Marywood University
Rookie of the Year
Bridget Boyle, Fr., Rowan University
Coach of the Year
Dawn Chamberlin, Salisbury University
First Team
Melissa Russo, Jr., Gwynedd Mercy University
Rachel Strow, Sr., Muhlenberg College
Krista LaMaina, Jr., Kean University
Taylor Mack, Sr., Cabrini University
Emily Boyle, Sr., Muhlenberg College
Margaret Wentzel, Sr., Alvernia University
Jackie Neary, Jr., Cabrini University
Tori Jo Kakusian, Jr., Marywood University
Shauna LaMaina, Jr., Kean University
Rachel Buyan, So., Washington & Jefferson College
Ilianna Santangelo, So., Franklin & Marshall College
Second Team *
Brianna O'Connell, Jr., Gwynedd Mercy University
Gabbie Bower, Sr., Marywood University
Bridget Boyle, Fr., Rowan University
Amanda Steffey, Sr., Washington & Jefferson College
Becca Rinaca, Sr., Salisbury University
Jacqui Rosati, So., Rowan University
Becky Guinto, Sr., Neumann University
Cassidy Barrow, Jr., Albright College
Hannah Miller, Sr., Salisbury University
Kylie McDevitt, Sr., Cabrini University
Bridget Falcone, Sr., Franklin & Marshal College
Annah Brittingham, Sr., Salisbury University
Rebecca Brosious, Sr., Alvernia University
*Additional players added due to ties.
ABOUT THE ECAC
In the 77 years since its inception, the ECAC has emerged as the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In 2015-16, the ECAC hosted nearly 100 championships in men's and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 student-athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay updated on the latest news, championships and more by connecting with the ECAC on Facebook (ECACSports), Twitter (@ECACSports) and Instagram (@ECACSports).