November 11, 2008

NEWMAC Announces 2008 Women's Soccer Post-season Award Winners

BABSON PARK, Mass. - The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced its 2008 Women's Soccer post-season award winners on Tuesday and NEWMAC regular season and tournament champions, Springfield, led the way with four first team All-Conference selections, including NEWMAC Athlete of the Year, Lauren Peltier (Agawam, Mass.). Mount Holyoke first-year Yuko Takahashi (Tochigi, Japan) was named the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year, in addition to being placed on the All-Conference first team. Springfield Coach John Gibson earned NEWMAC Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Pride to the league championship. Mount Holyoke received the league's Sportsmanship Award.

Joining Peltier on the first team All-Conference were teammates Delaney Cantrall (Santa Paula, Calif.), Nicole Hanewich (Smithfield, R.I.) and Kayla Thibeault (Lebanon, Conn.). Babson senior Jackie Graham (Winchester, Mass.), MIT goalkeeper Stephanie Brenman (Newton, Mass.) and freshman Alisha Lussiez (Livonia, Mich.), Amanda Young (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) of Wellesley and Wheaton's Emily Hough (Norwich, Vt.) and Lyndsey McManus (Marshfield, Mass.) also earned first team honors.

2008 Women's Soccer All-Conference Team and Award Winners

NEWMAC Athlete of the Year:
Lauren Peltier, Springfield

NEWMAC Rookie of the Year:
Yuko Takahashi, Mount Holyoke

NEWMAC Coach of the Year:
John Gibson, Springfield

NEWMAC Sportsmanship Award:
Mount Holyoke

First Team All-Conference
Jackie Graham, Babson, M
Stephanie Brenman, MIT, GK
Alisha Lussiez, MIT, F
Yuko Takahashi, Mount Holyoke, M
Delaney Cantrall, Springfield, D
Nicole Hanewich, Springfield, F
Lauren Peltier, Springfield, M
Kayla Thibeault, Springfield, D
Amanda Young, Wellesley, M
Emily Hough, Wheaton, F
Lyndsey McManus, Wheaton, D

Second Team All-Conference
Sam Bartman, Babson, D
Patty Pytlik, Babson, F
Joanna Clark, Clark, GK
Julia Rizzo, Clark, D
Katie Kurek, Coast Guard, F
Lauren Hernley, MIT, M
Etta Grover-Silva, Smith, D/M
Catherine Caruso, Wellesley, M/F
Melida Alvarez, Wheaton, F
Alessia Viscomi, Wheaton, D
Kristen Garza, WPI, F