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Somerset, NJ – For the second year in a row Quinnipiac senior midfielder Marissa Caroleo (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon) was selected as Northeast Conference (NEC) Women’s Lacrosse Player of the Year in a vote by the league head coaches. Caroleo’s teammate Devon Gibney (Hopkinton, MA/Hopkinton), a senior midfielder,collected NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors while Bobcat freshman Kyra Ochwat (Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale) was named NEC Rookie of the Year. Central Connecticut senior goalkeeper Erin DeLancey (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) was tabbed at the NEC Goalkeeper of the Year. While the Blue Devil’s first-year head coach Kelly Nangle was voted NEC Coach of the Year by her peers.
On the eve of the NEC Women's Lacrosse Tournament, the awards were announced at a banquet held at the Trumbull Marriot in Fairfield, CT the campus of host Sacred Heart. In Friday's semifinals, the top-seeded Pioneers take on #4 seed Mount St. Mary’s at 1:00 pm. The second game will feature #2 seed Quinnipiac and #3 seed Monmouth at 3:30 pm. The championship game is slated for Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 pm. The winner of the NEC championship will take on the Colonial Athletic League tournament champion in an NCAA tournament play-in game on a date to be determined.
Carleo, a senior, caps off her prolific NEC career with her third career major award after she earned NEC Rookie of the Year honors in 2009 and NEC Player of the Year honors in 2011. A two-time first team All-Conference member, Caroleo led the Bobcats in goals (45) this spring, recorded a point in every game this season and multiple points in 14 of 15 games. Her 3.00 goals-per-game ranks second in the conference and she an integral part of an offensive unit which lead the league in points-per game (18.93). Caroleo has also been a threat on the draw as she sits second on the team with 34 draw controls while her 16 ground balls ranks fourth on the team. The New York native has also shown her defensive prowess by tallying 12 caused turnovers.
Gibney, a midfielder and 2011 NEC Tournament MVP, collects the first major award of her career after a regular season in which she proved to be a threat at both ends of the field. The Hopkinton, MA native was second in the in draw controls (54), while her ground balls (27), caused turnovers (19) were first on the team. Gibney also registered a point in 14 of 15 games this season to finish the regular season with 30 points. Her draw controls rank second in the conference and is a part of a defensive which leads the league in caused turnovers per game (10.80). This also marks the third consecutive year Gibney has earned a spot on the NEC All-Conference first team.
Rounding out list of major award winners from Quinnipiac, Ochwat ranks first among the league’s freshman in goals (31) and points (38), has registered a point in all but one game for the Bobcat’s this season, putting up multiple points in 10 of 15. The New York product has posted 2.07 goals per game which ranks tenth in the conference while her two game winners rank third. Ochwat has been named NEC Rookie of the week three times this season and also earns a spot on the NEC All-Rookie team.
Central Connecticut’s DeLancey earns her first career major award and first career All-Conference nod after posting the league’s best goals against average (9.90) and second best save percentage (.480); a mark which currently ranks her 12th nationally. DeLancey proved to be the backbone of a defense which tallied seven wins, five of which came during conference play to set a new program record for in conference victories. The Saratoga Springs, New York native collected NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors on three separate occasions during the season after posting weekly save averages above the .500 mark. She finished the year ranked second on the team in ground balls (27) and also posted two caused turnovers in her senior campaign.
Nangle wasted no time during her first year as Head Coach in New Brittan, leading the Blue Devils to a new program record in conference victories (5) while tying the record for regular season wins (7). Central also posted a 6-1 home record and only narrowly missed out on the post-season. The former NEC student athlete (Mount Saint Mary’s ’06) brought new life to a program which finished 2011 eighth in the league with a 2-7 conference record and helped senior goalkeeper DeLancey to her first career major award. Nangle also boasts a defensive unit with the best goals against average in the conference (10.25) and an offense that ranks second in assists-per-game (6.75).
Also earning First Team All-Conference Honors for Quinnipiac are junior attacker Sarah Allen (Glastonbury, CT/Glastonbury) and senior defender Kim Davis (Darien, CT/Darien). Allen currently leads the nation in assists (64) and assists per game (4.57) and is ranked ninth in points per game (4.86). The junior leads the conference in assists and points per game and earlier this season broke the program record at the Q for assists as well as the NEC assist record. In eight of 14 games this season Allen has tallied five or more assists. Allen also earned NEC Player of the Week honors on March 23 after she tallied 19 points in three games. At the other end of the field Davis leads a Bobcat defense that ranks third in the league in goals against (11.40). The senior has tallied 16 ground balls this season as well as 14 caused turnovers, both of which rank her in the top-five on the team. This is the first time in Davis’ career that she earned All-Conference honors.
Joining DeLancey on the first-team is junior attacker Betsy Vendel (Sandy Hook, CT/Newington),who ranks second on the team in goals (26), assists (26) and points (52). The 2010 NEC Rookie of the Year and 2011 second team All-Conference honoree leads the team in draw controls (57), which ranks fourth in the conference. She also tallied 20 ground balls on the season.
Monmouth picked up two spots on the First Team as midfielder Kaleigh Gibbons (Candia, NY/Central) and defender Gianna D’Urso (Portland, OR/St. Mary’s Academy) were honored for their efforts. The only underclassman on the first team, Gibbons put together a solid sophomore season in West Long Branch as she led the team in assists (18)and finished third in ground balls (28) and draw controls (15), while posting a point in all but one of the Hawk’s league game. D’Urso , has climbed the ladder in her three years as a Hawk, earning All-Rookie honors in 2010 and second team All-Conference honors just a year ago, now earns first team All-Conference after leading the team in ground balls (33) and caused turnovers (30). She has also been effective on the circle, tallying 14 draw controls on the season.
Sacred Heart junior attacker Emily Pepe (East Quogue, NY/Westhampton) picks up her second career first-team All-Conference honor after leading the team in points (71) and finishing second in the league in points per game (4.44) assists (43) and assists per game (2.69). Both her assists and assists per game rank fifth in the nation.
Also landing a spot on the first team is senior defender Meaghan Conlon (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty), whoearns her an NEC All-Conference nod for the first time in her career. The Maryland native booked 23 caused turnovers was tied for first on the squad and good for fifth on the circuit. Her 46 draw controls and 24 ground balls are numbers which currently rank her second best on the squad.
Rounding out the first team is Robert Morris senior defender Colleen O’Donnell (Portland, OR/St. Mary’s Acadmey) and Bryant senior attacker Lauren Sheridan (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage). O’Donnell ranks third nationally in caused turnovers (39), while her 54 ground balls was second in the league and first on the squad. She also led the team with 34 draw controls as a senior. This is the second time she has earned first team All-Conference honors. At the other end of the field Bryant’s Sheridan led the team in goals (39) and points (45), which placed her seventh in the league in goals per game (2.44). She also recorded her 100th career goal this past season, while collecting 19 draw controls and 16 ground balls.
Mount St. Mary’s lands a league best four spots on the Second Team as senior attacker Jen Semler (Baltimore, MD/Perry Hall), defender Gabe Little (Hempstead, MD/North Carroll) and midfielders Lindsay Diaz (Timonium, MD/Dulaney) and Esther Rufolo (Woodstock, MD/Chapelgate Christian Academy). Semler posted a team best 10 assists on the season, while her 29 points was tied for second. The Maryland native was particularly productive in conference games, notching a point in each of the nine league games. This is the second time the senior has earned All-Conference honors. Little picks up second team All-Conference honors as a sophomore after leading the team in caused turnovers (23) while she sits second in ground balls with 31. She also adds NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors from April 16 to her resume after she posted six ground balls and five caused turnovers in two critical conference games. Diaz has dominated the circle for the Mount this season tallying 56 draw controls, which ranks fifth best in the league. As a midfielder she has tallied 17 goals, 16 caused turnovers and 26 ground balls. Rufolo collects her third All-Conference honor after tallying 23 points in her senior campaign for fourth best on the team. She has also tallied 34 draw controls to rank her third on the team as well as 11 caused turnovers.
Sacred Heart boasts three Second Team All-Conference honorees in midfielder Kelsey Russo (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst), defender Samantha Villafranca (Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River) and freshman goalkeeper Kelsey Keenan (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh). Russo transitioned to a midfield position this spring after playing a strictly attack role as a freshman. With the change in position she has turned into a major threat on the circle where she has tallied a team best 56 draw controls on the season, a number which ranks her third on the circut. Russo leads the team in caused turnovers (20) and ranks second in groundballs (35) and has also posted 29 goals and eight assists in her sophomore season. Villafranca, a sophomore, also proved to be effective on the circle, ranking second on the team in DC’s with 35. The 5.7” defender has limited several of the league’s offensive threats to one goal or less and has booked 15 caused turnovers and 25 ground balls this season. As a rookie Keenan has been solid between the pipes for the Pioneers. Ranking third in the conference in save percentage (.450) she has posted an even 8-8 record while making 153 saves on the year. The New York native and NEC All-Rookie team honoree has also corralled 46 ground balls which ranks her fourth in the league.
Monmouth senior attacker Sam Lillo (Short Hills, NJ/Milburn), collected second team All Conference honors for the second consecutive year after posting a team best 35 goals and 32 draw controls. She earned NEC Player of the Week honors April 16 after she tied a program record for goals in a game after she netted eight against league opponent Wagner.
Robert Morris attacker Talia Waskowicz (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) picks up second team honors after she led the team in points (45) and goals (38) as a sophomore. Her 38 goals ranks her sixth in the conference in goals-per-game (2.53) while she also tallied 28 draw controls and 25 ground ball for second and fourth on the team, respectively.Wagner adds the fourth attacker to the second team as senior Carolyn Clark (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) ends her NEC career with All-Conference honors. The Syracuse, NY native leads the league in goals (54) and goals per game (3.06) and has booked three or more goals eleven times this season, six of which were conference games. Clark also earned NEC Player of the Week honors during the weeks of February 20 and March 5.
Defenders Nicole Rettinger (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hallow Hills West) of Bryantand Katy Bender (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) of Wagner round out the second team after each posted solid defensive performances for their respective teams. Rettinger was second on the team in caused turnovers (22) and also tallied 31 ground balls. Bender finished tied for fifth in the league in caused turnovers (1.44) after she collected 23 on the season. The Cherry Hill, NJ product also posted 29 ground balls on the season to rank third on the team.
Six of the league’s top freshmen were honored with a spot on the All-Rookie team, including Monmouth goalie Katie Donohoe (Peterborough, Ontario/Holy Cross Catholic Secondary), who posted a team best 42 ground balls, and second best 16 caused turnovers. The freshman keeper bookended her season with NEC Weekly honors earning Defensive Player of the Week to begin the season and Rookie of the Week honors to end the regular season after holding Mount St. Mary’s to just one goal in the Hawk’s final game of the season.
Mount freshman attacker Erin Seipp (Towson, MD/Notre Dame Prep) stands second on the team in points and goals with 29 and 21, respectively. She has posted multiple points in six of the eight conference games she appeared in, including five points against both Robert Morris and Quinnipiac. Erin Mossop (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland), a middie from Robert Morris also adds All-Rookie honors to a resume which also includes three NEC Rookie of the Week nods after she posted several clutch performances including an overtime game winner against Davidson, and an eight-goal performance over the course of two games during the first weekend of league play. She finished the season with 24 points, good for third on the team. Rounding out the All-Rookie team is Samantha Barton (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia). The midfielder from Saint Francis (PA) was vital on the circle for the Flash as she recorded at least two draw controls in every conference game and 43 on the season for second best on the team. She also tallied 24 points in her freshman campaign.
2012 Northeast Conference Women’s Lacrosse Post Season Awards
Player of the Year
Marissa Caroleo Quinnipiac Sr. North Babylon, NY/North Babylon
Defensive Player of the Year
Devon Gibney Quinnipiac Sr. Hopkinton, MA/Hopkinton
Rookie of the Year
Kyra Ochwat Quinnipiac Fr. Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale
Goalkeeper of the Year
Erin DeLancey Central Connecticut Sr. Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs
Coach of the Year
Kelly Nangle Central Connecticut
2012 All Northeast Conference Women’s Lacrosse First Team
Attack
Betsy Vendel Central Connecticut Jr. Sandy Hook, CT/Newtown
Lauren Sheridan Bryant Sr. Bethpage, NY/Bethpage
Sarah Allen Quinnipiac Jr. Glastonbury, CT/Glastonbury
Emily Pepe Sacred Heart Jr. East Quogue, NY/Westhampton
Midfielders
Kaleigh Gibbons Monmouth So. Candia, NY/Central
Devon Gibney Qunnipiac Sr. Hopkinton, MA/Hopkinton
Marissa Caroleo Quinnipiac Sr. North Babylon, NY/North Babylon
Defense
Gianna D’Urso Monmouth Jr. Fairfield, NJ/West Essex
Meaghan Conlon Mount St. Mary’s Sr. Eldersburg, MD/Liberty
Kim Davis Quinnipiac Sr. Darien, CT/Darien
Colleen O’Donnell Robert Morris Sr. Portland, OR/St. Mary’s Academy
Goalie
Erin DeLancey Central Connecticut Sr. Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs
2012 All Northeast Conference Women’s Lacrosse Second Team
Attack
Sam Lillo Monmouth Sr. Short Hills, NJ/Milburn
Jen Semler Mount St. Mary’s Sr. Baltimore, MD/Perry Hall
Talia Waskowicz Robert Morris So. Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny
Carolyn Clark Wagner Sr. Syracuse, NY/Westhill
Midfielders
Lindsay Diaz Mount St. Mary’s So. Timonium, MD/Dulaney
Esther Rufolo Mount St. Mary’s Sr. Woodstock, MD/Chapelgate Christian Academy
Kelsey Russo Sacred Heart So. Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst
Defense
Nicole Rettinger Bryant Jr. Dix Hills, NY/Half Hallow Hills West
Gabe Little Mount St. Mary’s So. Hempstead, MD/North Carroll
Sami Villafranca Sacred Heart So. Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River
Katy Bender Wagner So. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West
Goalie
Kelly Keenan Sacred Heart Fr. Wantagh, NY/Wantagh
2012 Northeast Conference Women’s Lacrosse All-Rookie Team
Katie Donohoe Monmouth Fr. Peterborough, Ontario/Holy Cross Catholic Secondary)
Erin Seipp Mount St. Mary’s Fr. Towson, MD/Notre Dame Prep
Kyra Ochwat Quinnipiac Fr. Farmingdale, NY/Farmingdale
Erin Mossop Robert Morris Fr. Schenectady, NY/Guilderland
Samantha Barton Saint Francis (PA) Fr. Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia
Kelly Keenan Sacred Heart Fr. Wantagh, NY/Wantagh