CHESTNUT HILL'S RIIFF CHOSEN CACC WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
NEW HAVEN (Oct. 29, 2009) - Chestnut Hill College sophomore forward Lauren Riiff has been chosen the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Soccer Player of the Year, as the 2009 All-Conference team was released today. Trisha Sileo of Philadelphia University was named Rookie of the Year, while Seamus O'Connor of Chestnut Hill was voted Coach of the Year. Bloomfield College was given the annual Team Sportsmanship Award. The All-Conference team was voted upon by the 13 CACC head coaches.
Riiff, a 5-6 sophomore from Clementon, NJ, stands fourth in the CACC with 24 points and 60 shots, and is tied for fourth in goals with 11 and seventh in points per-game with 1.41. She started the season with a four-goal performance against Lincoln University. Riiff has been one of the main reasons Chestnut Hill improved from a 2-9 CACC record in 2008 to an 8-3-1 record this season. The Griffins are currently tied for third in the conference standings. Riiff was a second team All-CACC pick last season after totaling 32 points (12 goals, eight assists).
Sileo, who hails from Islip, NY, has been one of the main offensive producers for the Lady Rams in her first collegiate season. She ranks third in the CACC with 30 points, 13 goals, 3.39 shots per-game and 1.67 points per-game. Furthermore, she is tied for second with four game-winning goals. Sileo is one of three freshmen to make the All-CACC first team this season.
O'Connor, who is in his second year at the helm, has led the Griffins to the biggest turnaround in the CACC. The Griffins finished 11th out of 12 conference teams last season with a 2-9 record and a 5-15 overall mark. This season, the Griffins are 8-3-1 in CACC action and 11-7-1 overall. Chestnut Hill will be making its first appearance in the CACC Tournament next week.
The complete 2009 All-CACC Women's Soccer team is listed on the following page. Philadelphia, Georgian Court University, Holy Family University and Wilmington University all feature two first-team selections. Holy Family defender Meghan McCusker was the only senior voted to the first team, while three freshman were named, including Sileo, Lady Rams goalie Kelli Kowalewski and GCU defender Denisha Thomas.
| FIRST TEAM | |||
| GK Kelli Kowalewski | Philadelphia | Fr. | Shamong, NJ |
| D Meghan McCusker | Holy Family | Sr. | Sewell, NJ |
| D Denisha Thomas | Georgian Court | Fr. | Trinadad & Tobago |
| D Alli Williams | Wilmington | So. | Newark, DE |
| M Amanda Davis | Wilmington | Jr. | Middletown, DE |
| M Lindsay Fisher | Holy Family | So. | Oakford, PA |
| M Margaret Porter | Dominican | Jr. | Neptune, NJ |
| F Kelly Lyons | Georgian Court | So. | Jackson, NJ |
| F Lauren Riiff | Chestnut Hill | So. | Clementon, NJ |
| F Trisha Sileo | Philadelphia | Fr. | Islip, NY |
| F Alisha Smith | Nyack | Jr. | Irvine, CA |
| SECOND TEAM | |||
| GK Valentina Sturchio | Dominican | Sr. | Stewartsville, NJ |
| D Lauren Brown | Chestnut Hill | So. | Dover, DE |
| D Alyssa Kline | Philadelphia | Sr. | Southampton, NJ |
| D Shannon Martin | Bloomfield | Jr. | Pompton Lakes, NJ |
| D Cari Schenkel | Philadelphia | Sr. | Pitman, NJ |
| M Kate Attenberger | Goldey-Beacom | Sr. | Newark, DE |
| M Nikki D'Orsaneo | Caldwell | So. | Bowie, MD |
| M Tara Morey | Chestnut Hill | Jr. | Pittsgrove, NJ |
| F Derienne Jacobowitz | Felician | Jr. | Staten Island, NY |
| F Kirsten Stallone | Wilmington | Jr. | Elkton, MD |
| F Megan Tole | Holy Family | Fr. | Philadelphia, PA |
| Player of the Year: | Lauren Riiff | So. | Chestnut Hill |
| Rookie of the Year: | Trisha Sileo | Fr. | Philadelphia |
| Coach of the Year: | Seamus O'Connor | Chestnut Hill | |
| Team Sportsmanship: | Bloomfield College |
Honorable Mention: Rhea Belgrave, Fr., D, Concordia; Ashley Smith, Sr., D, Holy Family; Nicolle Sanchez, Fr., D, Dominican; Danielle Niccoli, Jr., D, Wilmington
