WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Seven members of the PSAC conference champion West Chester University women’s soccer squad have been selected to Daktronics, Inc. All-Atlantic Region teams in voting conducted by sports information directors at NCAA Division II institutions within the region.
Five Golden Rams’ players were selected as first-team all-region members after an outstanding 2009 season in which the team went 19-2-1, before falling in the second round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer tournament. Forward Sarah Oswald, midfielder Jen Hutchinson, defender Jenna Arnold, defender Cindi Nickles, and goalkeeper Lyndsie Bernardini all received first-team honors. The five first-team selections will appear on the national All-America ballot, which will be voted on in the coming weeks. Midfielder Jessica Bennett and defender Tara Malkiewicz earned second-team all-region honors.
Oswald led the team in scoring with 36 points on the strength of a team-high 10 goals and 16 assists. She is third in the country on the Division II level in assists (16) and assists per game (0.76). The three-time, first team all-leaguer became just the third Golden Rams player to eclipse 100 career points. She has 104 points during her illustrious college days.
Hutchinson notched eight goals and 16 points, second on the team in both categories, while fighting injury for much of the campaign. She showed her impact in 17 games, giving West Chester fans a glimpse of what is to come for the next three seasons.
Arnold and Nickles were rocks on defense for the Golden Rams, who allowed only five goals throughout the entire season. The pair anchored a defense that limited their opponents to just 144 shots and 49 corners in 22 games. Arnold notched a goal and an assist, while Nickles recorded one assist as well. Nickles started all 22 games this season, while Arnold started 21, missing one game due to injury.
Bernardini ranks second nationally in both goals-against average (0.19) and save percentage (.933). Her 15 shutouts on the year set a new school record while her consecutive shutout string of 1,293 minutes earlier this season is the second-longest all-time at the Division II level. UMass-Lowell keeper Jamie Gillis authored an NCAA-record 1,333 minutes this season as well.
Bennett, who was named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America earlier this week, is the junior captain of the squad, who is the quarterback of the midfield on the pitch. She posted five goals and 12 points for the Golden Rams while anchoring the NCAA’s top defense.
Malkiewicz started all 22 games for the Golden Rams and was a huge part of the defense’s success this season. Malkiewicz played solid defense, while also contributing on offense, recording three goals and one assist in 2009.
Wheeling Jesuit University forward Kara Houston was named the Daktronics, Inc. Atlantic Region women’s soccer Player of the Year. Houston led the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 24 goals and 52 points.
DAKTRONICS INC. WOMEN’S SOCCER ALL-ATLANTIC REGION TEAMS
Player of the Year: Kara Houston, forward, Wheeling Jesuit
FIRST TEAM
Forward: Amanda Heister, California; Kara Houston, Wheeling Jesuit; Gemma Nortcliffe, Concord; Sarah Oswald, West Chester.
Midfielder: Devon Miniscalco, East Stroudsburg; Jen Hutchinson, West Chester; Megan Beal, Davis & Elkins; Heather Robbins, Indiana.
Defender: Jenna Arnold, West Chester; Chelsea Deeter, Kutztown; Megan Jackson, Alderson-Broaddus; Cindi Nickels, West Chester.
Goalkeeper: Lyndsie Bernardini, West Chester
SECOND TEAM
Forward: Cole Dant, Davis & Elkins; Taylor Hilinski, Mercyhurst; Jill Morrison, West Virginia Wesleyan; Katie Shoemaker, Alderson-Broaddus; Megan Zayas, West Virginia Wesleyan.
Midfielder: Carina Honeygosky, California; Hannah Macormic, West Virginia Wesleyan; Katie Roberts, West Virginia Wesleyan; Jessica Bennett, West Chester.
Defender: Allison Dant, Davis & Elkins; Tara Malkiewicz, West Chester; Fallon Nicholas, Charleston; Alanna Torrey, West Virginia Wesleyan
Goalkeeper: Caroline Lalley, West Virginia Wesleyan
