The Empire 8 announced its 2010 Women’s Soccer All-Conference team. Sophomore forward Rachael Palladino of Ithaca College was named Offensive Player of the Year and senior goalkeeper Hillary Simon of Nazareth College was chosen as Defensive Player of the Year. The Bombers and Golden Flyers shared the Empire 8 regular season title.
Palladino, a first-team choice and Empire 8 Rookie of the Year last season, leads the conference with 20 goals and 45 points overall, and 11 goals in seven regular season conference games. She has established single-season records at Ithaca for goals and assists, and already ranks in the top-seven in career scoring numbers in only her second season.
Simon earned first-team honors for the third consecutive year, allowing just one goal and recording a .978 save percentage in conference play. Overall, she has registered eight shutouts and posted a 0.63 goals against average.
Four Nazareth players were selected to the all-conference team in addition to Simon. Senior forward Erica Conte, who scored four times in conference play, repeated as a first-team choice. Senior back Kara Eaker and sophomore back Amanda Sudore garnered first-team recognition for leading the Golden Flyers’ defense, which allowed three goals in eight Empire 8 contests. Junior midfielder Kelly Kuhn totaled five points in regular season conference play to earn first-team accolades.
Gail Mann was chose as Empire 8 Coach of the Year for leading the Golden Flyers to an undefeated conference regular season and the top seed in the Empire 8 Women’s Soccer Championship.
Two Ithaca players joined Rachael Palladino on the all-conference first team, including her twin sister Megan Palladino, who has anchored the Bombers’ defense that allowed one goal in eight conference matches. Sophomore midfielder Julie Winn led all midfielders with 11 points in Empire 8 play (four goals, three assists).
Junior forward Kathleen Schuckers of Stevens Institute of Technology was named to the all-conference first team after being named to the second team last season. She leads the Ducks in scoring with 21 points, including nine points in conference action. Midfielder Bridgette Barden of Stevens was chosen as Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and made the all-conference first team as well. She scored three goals and added two assists in regular season conference play.
First-year midfielder Alexa Martinez of Rochester Institute of Technology was named to the all-conference first team. She has scored five goals with three of them coming in Empire 8 games.
Empire 8 2010 Women’s Soccer All-Conference Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Rachael Palladino, Ithaca College
Defensive Player of the Year: Hillary Simon, Nazareth College
Rookie of the Year: Bridgette Barden, Stevens Institute of Technology
Coach of the Year: Gail Mann, Nazareth College
Women's Soccer All-Conference Release