Liberty League announces 2016 Women's Soccer Awards; Shue selected Player of the Year
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kara Shue, Sr., Forward/Midfielder, William Smith College
For the fourth straight season, a William Smith senior has been selected as the Liberty League Player of the Year. Kara Shue has been a starter in all 18 games for the Herons and she paces William Smith and the league offensively with 35 points (11 goals, 33 assists). She is currently ranked first on the William Smith list for career assists (47), fifth in points (111) and tied for 13th in goals (32). A three-time Offensive Performer of the Week selection, Shue helped the Herons claim their tenth straight Liberty League title with two assists. As a team, the Herons posted back-to-back shutouts in the conference tournament.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Emma Diehl, Sr., Defender, William Smith College
For the second consecutive year, a William Smith senior has earned Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year honors. Diehl anchors the Herons’ defense and they are currently in the midst of a 12-game shutout streak as they head into the NCAA tournament. The defense has allowed just four goals all season and they have posted 14 shutouts on the year. Opponents are averaging a mere 2.8 shots per game against William Smith and the Herons are ranked fifth in the nation in goals against average (222). Diehl has also contributed offensively with three goals and four assists for 10 points.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Joey Lyons, Goalkeeper, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
RPI freshman goalkeeper Joey Lyons has been selected as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. Lyons, made an immediate impact for the Engineers in her first year between the pipes. She made 19 starts for RPI this season, going 14-5-1 with a 0.60 goals against average and .876 save percentage. She was ranked second among league leaders in both goals against average and save percentage. A three-time Defensive Player of the Week selection, she led the league in shutouts per game (.550) and saves (85). Lyons broke the school’s single season shutout record with 11 clean sheets and helped RPI win their first Liberty League postseason game in program history.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: William Smith College – Head Coach AliceAnn Wilber; Assistant Coaches Chas Allen and Al Louks
William Smith College head coach AliceAnn Wilber as well as assistant coaches Chas Alen and Al Louks were selected as the Liberty League coaching staff of the year as voted by the league’s head coaches. They directed the Herons to an unblemished mark through the Liberty League tournament (18-0-0) this season. William Smith claimed their tenth straight Liberty League championship title and the Herons have been the top team in the nation, according to the NSCAA, for the last five weeks. The Herons have the league’s most potent offense, averaging 3.9 goals per game and they also boast the top defense, as they have only allowed four goals on the year. They are currently riding a 12-game shutout streak as they make their 27th NCAA tournament appearance.
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
F- Rebecca Andrews, So., Vassar
F- Evie Manning, Jr., William Smith
F- Hannah Merriam, Jr., St. Lawrence
M- Stephanie May, Jr., RPI
M- Kara Shue, Sr., William Smith
M- Emily Thiel, So., RIT
B- Emma Diehl, Sr., William Smith
B- Kelsey Hamm, Sr., Vassar
B- Bethany Hanson, Jr., RPI
B- Bridget Westerman, Sr., William Smith
GK- Joey Lyons, Fr., RPI
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
F- Lauren Flynn, Sr., Clarkson
F- Emily Kaplan, Fr., RPI
F- Katie Monahan, Jr., Union
F- Cori Winslow, Sr., RPI
M- Lindsay Geier, Sr., St. Lawrence
M- Lauren Kogelman, Jr., William Smith
M- Amanda McFarland, Jr., Vassar
M- Brie Ruane, Sr., William Smith
B- Theresa Lohr, Jr., William Smith
B- Riley Yankowich, So., RIT
GK- Kelsey Hartsoe, So., Union
ALL-LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION
F- Audrey Pillsbury, So., Vassar
F- Avalon Qian, Jr., Bard
F- Emily Saliterman, Sr., Skidmore
F- Katie Stames, Jr., St. Lawrence
F- Kaleigh White, Jr., St. Lawrence
M- Kanoe Eichholz, Sr., Clarkson
M- Emily Mendes, So., Skidmore
M- Jacqui Richard, Fr., RPI
M- Sara Seper, So., Vassar
M- Emily Wade, Fr., St. Lawrence
B- Lauren Chester, So., RIT
B- Phoebe Martell-Crawford, So., Skidmore
B- Dylan McDonald, So., Bard
B- Maddie Steinmetz, So., RPI
B- Stephanie Tate, So., Union
GK- Kelsey O’Brien, Sr., Bard
GK- Veronica Romines, So., William Smith