College of Staten Island women’s soccer freshman Lauren Smith earned one of the City University of New York Athletic Conference’s highest distinctions, taking home the conference’s Rookie of the Year award for her efforts in 2015, it was announced today as part of all-star announcements made by the conference. A total of eight other Dolphins decorated the all-star first, second, all-sportsmanship teams.
Forward pair Samantha Wysokowski and Danielle Alexandrini were named to the CUNYAC’ first-team, as were defenders Krysta Percaccio and Danielle Smith, goalkeeper Kristy Colangelo and midfielder Jennifer Cosenza. Midfielder Stephanie Rivera earned on to the second-team, while defender Kaitlin Russo was named to the conference’s all-sportsmanship team.
Smith was a tremendous choice for Rookie of the Year honors. She was a two-time Rookie of the Week honoree during the regular season, and is a defensive anchor in the midfielder with spectacular playmaking ability as an attacker. For the season, Smith tallied four goals, good for fourth on the squad and six assists, tied for tops on the team. Her 48 shots placed third on the squad.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this award, ” said Smith. It means so much to me, although I could not have done it without my amazing teammates who always encouraged me to give it my all every time I stepped on the field.”
Numbers are not lost on senior forwards Wysokowski and Alexandrini. Going into the CUNYAC Final on Saturday, both are tied at the top with 14 goals this season, with Alexandrini notching six assists for a team-leading 34 points. Wysokowski has added four helpers and a team-high 71 total shots taken and five game-winners. Cosenza, like Smith, has tallied four markers and shares the team-lead with six assists, often creating chances from the wing, good for 30 total shots. Defensive anchors Percaccio and Smith have made for a stone wall in the back, and when lent to the offensive the two combined for 28 starts, six goals, six assists, 39 shots.
Manning every second between the pipes for CSI this season, Colangelo has been stellar, posting a .838 save percentage and a stingy 1.03 goals against average. The senior has registered a CSI single-season record 9 shutouts on 93 total saves.
Second-teamer Stephanie Rivera is a physical attacking midfielder, posting a trio of goals to go with four assists this season. Rivera has played in every contest, posting 30 total shots taken.
Combining athletic excellence with impeccable sportsmanship, Russo earned on to the conference’s all-sportsmanship team. A stout defender, Russo has tallied four goals and has registered an assist on 12 total shots, but is more known for her shut-down defensive play in the backfield.
Lehman College’s Chelsea Harris took home the conference’s Player of the Year honor, while Brooklyn’s Jasmine Fermin walked away with Defensive Player of the Year. Casey Melilli garnered Coach of the Year honors following Lehman’s 6-0 run through the CUNYAC during the regular season.
CSI will square off against Lehman College tomorrow at Brooklyn College in the CUNYAC Postseason Championship Tournament Final at 2pm.
