All-SSC Women’s Soccer Team Announced
A total of 23 student-athletes representing seven institutions were named to the 2008 All-Sunshine State Conference Women’s Soccer Team, announced Thursday by Commissioner Michael J. Marcil. Saint Leo’s Hannah Beard was selected Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Rollins’ Dana Merrill was chosen Defensive Player of the Year, while her coach, Tony Amato, was tabbed Coach of the Year. Lynn’s Melissa Ortiz was named Freshman of the Year.
Voting for the all-conference women’s soccer team was conducted among the league’s soccer coaches and sports information directors.
Joining Beard, Merrill, and Ortiz on the All-SSC First Team were: forwards Lindsay Giblin (Rollins) and Princess Haley (Florida Southern); midfielders Courtney Evans (Tampa), Erin Hopkins (Florida Southern), and Rachel Jakubowski (Rollins); defenders Leah Hirsch (Rollins) and Maria Mohammed (Tampa), and goalkeeper Michelle Dillingham (Rollins).
Named All-SSC Second Team were: forwards Liz Gorman (Florida Southern), Linda Hoglund (Florida Southern), and Shelby Kuni (Tampa); midfielders Paula Lillsjo (Florida Tech), Stephanie Quinones (Nova Southeastern), and Pia Soesemann (Saint Leo); defenders Mindy DeCara (Lynn), Ashley Haas (Florida Southern), and Meagan Thomas (Rollins); goalkeeper Lauren Hudson (Saint Leo); and at-large selection Lizzie Seedhouse (Saint Leo).
Tampa goalkeeper Kendall Bourdon received honorable mention.
Beard was a prolific scorer for Saint Leo and led the league in a number of offensive categories. She ranked first in the SSC with 44 points and tied for first with 12 assists. A native of Liverpool, England, Beard also ranked second with 16 goals and an average of 0.94 goals per game.
Merrill anchored a stingy Rollins defense that ranked first in the SSC with 0.47 goals allowed per game. The Tars also posted a league-best 0.45 goals against average and ranked second with nine shutouts. In addition to her defensive efforts, the Melbourne Beach native tallied two goals, including the game-winner at Lynn.
Amato wins his first Coach of the Year recognition after leading Rollins to the first SSC women’s soccer championship in program history. Sporting an overall record of 14-0-3, the Tars were unbeaten in conference play, notching a record of 7-0-1. Currently ranked No. 7 in Division II, Rollins has spent much of the season in the Top 25, including the past seven weeks in the Top 10. The squad is also ranked No. 2 in the latest NCAA DII South Region Rankings and is the top seed in this week’s SSC tournament.
Ortiz was outstanding in her debut season at Lynn, ranking among the conference leaders in every offensive category. She led the SSC with 17 goals and an average of 1.00 goal per game. A native of Wellington, Fla., Ortiz was second in the league with 42 points and tied for fourth with 9 assists.
ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM
FIRST TEAM
F – Hannah Beard, Saint Leo, Junior
F – Lindsay Giblin, Rollins, Senior
F – Princess Haley, Florida Southern, Sophomore
M – Courtney Evans, Tampa, Senior
M – Erin Hopkins, Florida Southern, Senior
M – Rachel Jakubowski, Rollins, Junior
D – Leah Hirsch, Rollins, Sophomore
D – Dana Merrill, Rollins, Senior
D – Maria Mohammed, Tampa, Senior
GK – Michelle Dillingham, Rollins, Freshman
At-Large – Melissa Ortiz, Lynn, Freshman
Player of the Year – Hannah Beard, Saint Leo
Offensive Player of the Year – Hannah Beard, Saint Leo
Defensive Player of the Year – Dana Merrill, Rollins
Coach of the Year – Tony Amato, Rollins
Freshman of the Year – Melissa Ortiz, Lynn
SECOND TEAM
F – Liz Gorman, Florida Southern, Senior
F – Linda Hoglund, Florida Southern, Senior
F – Shelby Kuni, Tampa, Senior
M – Paula Lillsjo, Florida Tech, Freshman
M – Stephanie Quinones, Nova Southeastern, Senior
M – Pia Soesemann, Saint Leo, Freshman
D – Mindy DeCara, Lynn, Junior
D – Ashley Haas, Florida Southern, Sophomore
D – Meagan Thomas, Rollins, Sophomore
GK – Lauren Hudson, Saint Leo, Senior
At-Large – Lizzie Seedhouse, Saint Leo, Senior
HONORABLE MENTION
GK – Kendall Bourdon, Tampa, Freshman