Garden City, N.Y. – Earlier this morning, the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) announced the women's first, second and third team All-Region award winners as well as the Region Coaches of the Year. The Panthers came away with their share of hardware with three on the second team and one on the third team. Additionally, head coach Chris Armas was named the East Region Coach of the Year.
Sam Whitney, Donna Liotine and Olivia Czavar were all named to the NSCAA All-Region Second-Team while freshman Victoria Antonino earned Third-Team honors.
Whitney adds NSCAA Second-Team status to a long list of awards which include Daktronics Second-Team All-Region, Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the year and First-Team All-Conference; all of which she earned earlier this year. The Panther's goalkeeper, Whitney logged 1950:16 minutes in net, allowed just 16 goals for a .74 goals against average and made 97 saves for a .858 saves percentage. Additionally, she chalked up a 14-3-4 overall record which included six shutouts.
Czavar started in all but one of the Panther's 21 games at the forward position. She led the team in goals (9) and was tied for first in points (21) to compliment her three assists. She notched two game winners; one of which came in the first round of the NE-10 Championship. The West Hempstead, N.Y. native was also named to the NE-10 Second-Team.
Liotine, a NE-10 First-Team All-Conference performer lands on the NSCAA Second-Team; her first such All-Region nod. The defender was part of a back line that allowed just 16 goals all season which is .75 scores per game average. She started in all 21 contests and notched one goal on the year which was the game winner in a 2-1 victory over Bentley on October 12.
Antonino rounds out the All-Region winners with inclusion on the Third-Team. The freshman started in 16 games and saw action in all 21. As a midfielder, she was second on the team in goals (8) and added five assists to tie for the lead in points (21). Additionally, she led the team with three game winners. Earlier this year, she was named to the NE-10 All-Rookie Squad.
The 2013 season marked Armas' third year at the helm of the women's soccer program. The East Region Coach of the Year was also named the NE-10 Coach of the Year after leading his squad to a 14-3-4 overall record and 9-1-4 mark in conference play. He pushed his team into the conference tournament in each of his three years and made it to the finals where they were the runner up for the second time in a row. This year, he and the team earned the program's first NCAA berth since 2007 and 12th appearance overall. Their first round, 5-0 win over Mercy marked the first victory in the big dance since 2004.
First Team
Pos. Player Class School Hometown K Julia Hansson Sr. University of Bridgeport Tocksfors, Sweden D Jourdan Thompson Jr. Saint Rose Brick, N.J. D Alison Fitzsimmons Sr. American International West Springfield, Mass. D Tabea Rauschenberger Fr. University of Bridgeport Muhlacker, Germany D La'Quilla Upton Jr. Saint Rose Kennewick, Wash. M Sydney Bond Sr. Saint Rose Deer Park, N.Y. M Roxanne Lee Stewart Sr. American International Southampton, England M Flo Gamby So. University of Bridgeport Goffs Oak, England M Suzane Pires Sr. Southern Connecticut State Sao Paulo, Brazil F Sonia Basma Jr. American International Silver Spring, Md. F Susanne Vistnes So. LIU Post Randaberg, Norway F Amber Simms Jr. University of New Haven Southport, England F Danielle Puddefoot Sr. University of Bridgeport Slouth, England
Second Team
Pos. Player Class School Hometown K Samantha Whitney Jr. Adelphi West Islip, N.Y. K Jessica Gerski Sr. Saint Rose Harbor City, Calif. D Bailey Robinson Sr. American International Pittsfield, Mass. D Donna Liotine Jr. Adelphi Medford, Mass. D Ashleigh Berg Jr. University of Bridgeport Plymouth, Mass. D Gabi Vieira DeMelo Sr. Franklin Pierce Sao Paulo, Brazil M Jessica Margaretta Fr. American International Coloniers, France M Julie Crankshaw Sr. Caldwell Lanoka Harbor, N.J. M Sarah Coakley Jr. Merrimack Medway, Mass. M Jeanine Ambrogi Sr. LIU Post Green Lawn, N.Y. F Jessica Carillo Jr Mercy San Ysidro, Calif. F Monica Yanez Sr. University of New Haven West Haven, Conn. F Natalie Migoya Jr. Caldwell Lincoln Park, N.J. F Olivia Czavar So. Adelphi West Hempstead, N.Y.
Third Team
Pos. Player Class School Hometown K Amy Wheaton Sr. Stonehill Dartmouth, Mass. D Dominique DeFelice Sr. Dowling Miller Place, N.Y. D Madison Hudson Jr. Holy Family Oakville, Ont. D Karina Rizzo Sr. LIU Post Oceanside, N.Y. D Lauren Iuliucci Jr. Caldwell Franklinville, N.J. M Victoria Antonino Fr. Adelphi Howard Beach, N.Y. M Rebecca Laporte Sr. Queens (N.Y.) Flushing, N.Y. M Laura Taylor Sr. Saint Rose Auburn, N.Y. M Nicole Pacapelli Sr. University of New Haven West Haven, Conn. M Mikie Bradley Sr. Bloomfield Jackson, N.J. F Danielle Dion Sr. Merrimack North Grosvenordale, Conn. F Tessa Dunster Jr. Post Stamford, Conn. F Hannah Weagle So. Franklin Pierce Ipswich, Mass. F Carly DiGiovanni Sr. Chestnut Hill Seaville, N.J.
All-Region Coach of the Year
Region Coach School Atlantic Rob Fulton Shippensburg University Central Brian Bahl Minnesota State University-Mankato East Chris Armas Adelphi University Midwest Dave Musso Quincy University South Joe Bartlinski University of West Florida South Central Kevin Fickes Colorado School of Mines Southeast Gareth O'Sullivan Clayton State University West Gabriel Bolton California State University Stanislaus
