2011 All-SSC Women’s Soccer Team Announced
A total of 24 student-athletes have been selected as members of the 2011 All-Sunshine State Conference Women’s Soccer Team. Saint Leo’s Cassie Barbaresi and Lynn’s Melissa Ortiz were chosen as Co-Players of the Year. Ortiz was also tabbed Offensive Player of the Year. Rollins’ Michelle Dillingham was recognized as Defensive Player of the Year. Saint Leo’s Ari Foreman was named Freshman of the Year, while Lion skipper Ged O’Connor was honored as Coach of the Year.
Earning All-SSC First Team recognition with midfielder Barbaresi, forward Ortiz, and goalkeeper Dillingham were: forwards Dari Alcantara (Saint Leo) and Ali Schrader (Rollins); midfielders Melissa Madrid (Barry) and Gabby Russo (Tampa); defenders Aija Bent-Trinder (Saint Leo), Anita Cox (Rollins), and Charlotte Murrell (Rollins); and at-large selections Emma Karp (Barry) and Laura Carstens (Saint Leo).
Named to the All-SSC Second Team were: forwards Casey Lademann (Florida Tech), Chelsea Pushman (Florida Tech), and Pia Soesemann (Saint Leo); midfielders Paula Lillsjo (Florida Tech), Ashley Waplinger (Rollins), and Kelly Whittaker (Florida Tech); defenders Ann-Marie Helgestad (Florida Tech), Lauren Impey (Lynn), and Rachael Reid (Nova Southeastern); goalkeeper Mist Eliasdottir (Florida Tech); and at-large selection Shannon Walisch (Tampa).
Tampa goalkeeper Emelie Karstrom received honorable mention.
Voting for the All-SSC team was conducted among the league’s soccer coaches and sports information directors.
A senior, Barbaresi posted 23 points for Saint Leo. She tied for third in the league in total points and ranked third with nine assists. A native of Bradenton, Fla., Barbaresi’s seven goals tied for eighth in the SSC.
Ortiz notched 20 points in her final season at Lynn. The native of Wellington, Fla., was seventh in the league in points and tied for sixth with eight goals. She notched four game-winning goals, which ranked second in the conference. Ortiz also contributed four assists for the Fighting Knights.
Dillingham tallied an 11-1-2 record in her senior season at Rollins. She ranked first in the SSC with 13 shutouts and a 0.25 goals against average. Dillingham recorded 51 saves, which was sixth most among SSC keepers. A product of Debary, Fla., she registered a .927 save percentage between the pipes.
Foreman made an immediate impact in her debut season at Saint Leo, playing in 12 games with 10 starts. Making her way to the SSC from Tinton Falls, N.J., Foreman tallied 11 points, including four goals and three assists.
In his fifth season at Saint Leo, O’Connor led the Lions to the first SSC regular-season title in program history. O’Connor’s squad has posted an impressive 15-1-1 overall record, going unbeaten in league play with a 7-0-1 mark. The Lions surrendered only two goals in SSC play. Currently ranked No. 6 in the latest NSCAA Division II Coaches Poll, SLU fielded the league’s top-scoring team this fall. The Lions led the SSC in both points (7.9 per game) and goals (2.8 per game).
2011 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
F – Dari Alcantara, Saint Leo, Senior
F – Melissa Ortiz, Lynn, Senior
F – Ali Schrader, Rollins, Junior
M – Cassie Barbaresi, Saint Leo, Senior
M – Melissa Madrid, Barry, Junior
M – Gabby Russo, Tampa, Freshman
D – Aija Bent-Trinder, Saint Leo, Senior
D – Anita Cox, Rollins, Junior
D – Charlotte Murrell, Rollins, Senior
GK – Michelle Dillingham, Rollins, Senior
At-Large – Emma Karp, Barry, Sophomore
At- Large – Laura Carstens, Saint Leo, Freshman
Co-Player of the Year – Cassie Barbaresi, Saint Leo
Co-Player of the Year – Melissa Ortiz, Lynn
Offensive Player of the Year – Melissa Ortiz, Lynn
Defensive Player of the Year – Michelle Dillingham, Rollins
Freshman of the Year – Ari Foreman, Saint Leo
Coach of the Year – Ged O’Connor, Saint Leo
SECOND TEAM
F – Casey Lademann, Florida Tech, Senior
F – Chelsea Pushman, Florida Tech, Junior
F – Pia Soesemann, Saint Leo, Senior
M – Paula Lillsjo, Florida Tech, Senior
M – Ashley Waplinger, Rollins, Senior
M – Kelly Whittaker, Florida Tech, Junior
D – Ann-Marie Helgestad, Florida Tech, Senior
D – Lauren Impey, Lynn, Junior
D – Rachael Reid, Nova Southeastern, Senior
GK – Mist Eliasdottir, Florida Tech, Senior
At-Large – Shannon Walisch, Tampa, Sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION
GK – Emelie Karstrom, Tampa, Sophomore