Stony Brook Earns 4 Honors to Highlight 2019 #AEWSOC Major Awards
Five players from three of the semifinalists in the #AEWSOC Championship have earned major awards for their performances during the 2019 regular season. Three standouts from co-regular-season champion Stony Brook, one from the other co-regular-season champion, UAlbany, and one from Hartford earned this year’s honors. Additionally, Stony Brook’s coaching staff took home Coaching Staff of the Year honors after earning the top seed for the championship.
The major award winners were determined in a vote by the league's nine head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
2019 #AEWSOC Major Award Winners
Striker of the Year
Alyssa Francese, Jr., Stony Brook
- Leads the league in goals (12) and points (24).
- Tied for tops in the country with seven game-winning goals.
- First-ever Seawolf to win Striker of the Year honors.
- Earned a pair America East Offensive Player of the Week honors this season.
Midfielder of the Year
Sierra Stone, Sr., Hartford
- League leader in assists (10) and ranks third in points per game (1.06).
- Has scored four goals this season, including three game winners.
- Is the third #AEWSOC player to earn the award for a second time after also earning it in 2017.
- Was twice named America East Offensive Player of the Week this season.
Defender of the Year
Kimmy Chavkin, Jr., Stony Brook
- Led a Stony Brook defense that allowed only three goals in its eight conference games.
- First-ever Seawolf to earn Defender of the Year honors.
- Helped lead Stony Brook a share of the #AEWSOC regular-season title.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Sofia Manner, Jr., Goalkeeper, Stony Brook
- Leads the conference in shutouts (8) while ranking in the top three in both goals against average and save percentage.
- Just the third goalkeeper to repeat as Goalkeeper of the Year.
- Two-time America East Defensive Player of the Week during the season.
Rookie of the Year
Leah Pais, Fr., Forward, UAlbany
- Had the sixth-most points among all #AEWSOC players in conference play (8).
- Fourth Great Dane in six years to be named Rookie of the Year.
- Earned America East Rookie of the Week honors once this season.
Coaching Staff of the Year
Stony Brook
- Led by head coach Tobias Bischoff, the Seawolves earned a share of the regular-season for the second-straight year.
- Top seed for the #AEWSOC Championship for the second-straight year.
- Stony Brook’s 12 regular-season wins are its most in its Division I history.
- Bischoff is assisted by Jim O’Brien, Shannon Grogan and Scott Leamey.
The 2019 All-Conference, All-Rookie and All-Academic teams were previously announced on Nov. 1 with 38 players receiving recognition (Release). View the complete award winners listing.
The semifinals of the 2019 #AEWSOC championship take place on Thursday evening. Visit Championship Central for complete tournament information.
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