Stockton College Athletes Earn Conference Honors

A pair of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey athletes went to Florida and came home with the first conference honors of their respective careers.

Ospreys sophomore pitcher Kolya Stephenson was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Baseball Player of the Week following his debut for the team during its trip to Florida last week.

Senior centerfielder Jessica Goncalves was named NJAC Softball Player of the Week after helping the Ospreys start the season 10-0 during its visit to the Sunshine State.

The college made the announcement of the honors on Monday, March 18.

Stephenson pitched a shutout in a 6-0 win over Messiah College on March 13. He struck out seven batters and gave up eight hits, according to the college.

Stephenson, of Ocean City, was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2011 draft. He transferred to Stockton after spending a season with Alvernia College, according to Stockton officials.

Goncalves batted .517 with 11 stolen bases and nine runs over the course of the first 10 games of the season. She scored in eight of the 10 games.

She had three hits apiece in victories over North Park, St. Mary's and Franklin and Marshall. She had six RBI and led the team in slugging percentage (.552) and on-base percentage (.548) for the week, according to college officials.

She was a 2012 second team all-conference selection.