ORLANDO, Fla. (November 5, 2009) - For the
second season straight, the Rollins women's soccer team has grabbed
two of the coveted All-Sunshine State Conference slots as head
coach Tony Amato earns his second
Coach of the Year honor, while junior defender Meagan
Thomas was given the nod as Defensive Player of the Year along
with her First Team selection. The duo highlights a long list of
Tars as Rollins placed five other players on the 2009 All-SSC team,
which was announced Thursday by conference officials.
A total of 25 student-athletes were named to this season's
squad, with Rachel Jakubowski, Leah
Hirsch, Charlotte Murrell, Chelsea
Brady, and Michelle Dillingham
completing the list for Rollins. Voting for the all-conference
women's soccer team was conducted among the league's coaches and
sports information directors.
Currently in his seventh season at the helm, Amato wins his
second-straight Coach of the Year honor after leading Rollins to
their second consecutive SSC regular-season title with a current
mark of 13-1-2 overall, and a conference record of 7-0-1. Amato's
squad has been a solid, balanced unit that boasts the toughest
defense in the league, as well as sits second in the conference
with 49 goals on the season. Currently ranked in the No. 8 slot on
the NSCAA Division II National Poll, the Tars eagerly prepare as
they look to host the Sunshine State Conference Tournament this
weekend.
Thomas gets the nod for Defensive Player of the Year, and First
Team All-SSC honors, after anchoring a stingy Rollins defense
throughout their epic 2009 season. Helping the Tars lead the
conference with 11 shutouts, the Ponte Vedra, Fla. native has been
a staunch figure on the back line as Rollins leads the league with
only 11 goals allowed, and a 0.67 goals against average. Named to
the Honorable Mention team her freshman year, and picking up Second
Team All-SSC in her sophomore campaign, Thomas has consistently
climbed the conference ladder throughout her career at Rollins.
Jakubowski picks up her second career First Team selection after
a stellar senior season with the Tars in 2009. The Winter Park,
Fla. native is second on the team in goals and overall points as
her seven goals and three assists have combined for a total of 17
points this season. The senior midfielder has three game-winning
goals this season, helping the Tars to their second Sunshine State
Conference regular season title in as many years.
Hirsch earns her second First Team honor after another season of
unyielding action on the back line. The Long wood, Fla. native
adds her second first team nod to a Second Team All-Conference
honor that she earned after her freshman season. The junior
defender is currently third on the team in scoring with six goals,
one assist, and 13 overall points from the back line, picking up
two game-winning goals, and going a perfect 3-for-3 in penalty
kicks.
Murrell has been significant in helping Rollins to their recent
successes on the field. As a freshman on the forward line, she
tallied six goals and four assists for 16 points overall in just
one season. On the back line as a defender in 2009, she has made
just as much of an impact, notching three goals and an assist,
while also playing a vital role in helping the Tars earn 11
shutouts. This marks Murrell's first All-Conference selection in
her career.
Brady garners Second Team All-SSC honors as she leads the Tars
in goals, assists, and overall points as her nine goals, seven
assists and 25 points have helped Rollins to a successful
conclusion of the 2009 regular season. The Melbourne, Fla. native
has contributed two game-winners and two final goals this season,
and is currently 5th in program history in overall points, 6th in
goals, and 7th in career assists. As a consistent member of the
Tars' forward line for three seasons straight, Brady picks up her
first all-conference award for her hard work and leadership
throughout her junior campaign.
Rounding out the long list of Tars, goalkeeper Michelle
Dillingham picks up Second Team credit for her efforts in
2009. With a new single season program record of 10 shutouts, the
Debary, Fla. native has allowed only 11 goals out of 120 shots
seen, and has played another stellar season for the Tars as she has
racked up a stingy 0.68 goals against average. With an overall
save percentage of .817, the sophomore keeper is just three
shutouts away from setting a new program career record for the
Tars.
The Rollins women's soccer team kicks off their post-season play
on Friday , November 6, when they host the semifinal round of the
2009 Sunshine State Conference Tournament. Competition kicks off
with the No. 2 seed Florida Tech taking on the No. 3 Florida
Southern Moccasins with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. The No. 1 seeded Tars
then match up with the No. 4 Saint Leo Lions in a 7:00 p.m.
showdown.
Fans will be able to watch and listen live to the semifinals and
finals on the Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com. Audio is
free for all three matches throughout the tournament weekend, and a
one-time fee of $5.95 will be charged for video access.
