The Empire 8 announced its 2011 Women’s Soccer All-Conference team. Junior forward Rachael Palladino of Ithaca College repeated as Offensive Player of the Year and sophomore teammate Anna Gray was chosen as Defensive Player of the Year.
Palladino, who was named to the all-conference first team for the third time, leads the conference with 12 goals and seven assists for 31 points. She recorded conference-bests of seven goals and 17 points in Empire 8 play. Gray anchored the Bombers’ defense, earning first-team recognition. Junior midfielder Julie Winn of the Bombers repeated as a first-team choice and enters postseason play with eight goals and eight assists for 24 points.
Three players from regular season champion Stevens Institute of Technology were named to the all-conference first team. Senior forward Kathleen Shuckers and sophomore midfielder Bridgette Barden repeated as first-team selections, while junior Paige Allen was named to the first team after back-to-back second-team honors.
Shuckers enters the conference tournament with 22 points on six goals and 10 assists, and Barden has contributed five goals and two assists. Allen paced the Ducks’ defense that allowed only 12 goals in the regular season and three in Empire 8 games.
First-year forward Ann Heine of Stevens was selected as Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and was named to the all-conference second team. She enters the postseason with eight goals and 18 points.
Three players from regular season runner-up Nazareth College were selected to the all-conference first team. Senior Erica Conte was named to the first team for the third time, scoring four goals and totaling nine points. Junior back Amanda Sudore keyed the Golden Flyers’ defense that yielded one goal in conference play in seven games. Sophomore goalkeeper Abbie Carey garnered first-team honors, posting a 0.15 goals against average in Empire 8 play and 0.55 overall.
Sophomore back Katie Burgstrom and sophomore midfielder Alexandra Rohloff of St. John Fisher College were named to the all-conference first team. Rohloff scored seven goals in regular season play.
Jeff Parker and his staff at Stevens were unanimously selected as Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year for leading the Ducks to their first regular season title and the right to host the Empire 8 Women’s Soccer Championship.
Empire 8 2011 Women’s Soccer All-Conference Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Rachael Palladino, Ithaca College
Defensive Player of the Year: Anna Gray, Ithaca College
Rookie of the Year: Ann Heine, Stevens Institute of Technology
Coaching Staff of the Year: Jeff Parker and staff, Stevens Institute of Technology
2011 Women's Soccer All-Conference