BOSTON - UMass Lowell is set to the host the Spring 2021 #AEWSOC Championship after earning the league’s regular-season title and the River Hawks have been rewarded for their performance by earning five of the six major awards. Additionally, the conference’s All-Conference, All-Rookie and All-Academic Teams were unveiled on Wednesday.
UMass Lowell took the majority of the major awards as Kristina Bartsch earned Midfielder of the Year honors, Dunja Mostarac garnered Defender of the Year accolades and Taylor Burgess was tabbed both the Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Year. Additionally, the River Hawk coaching staff earned Coaching Staff of the Year honors. UAlbany’s Jasmine Colbert capped the honorees by receiving Striker of the Year recognition.
The award winners were determined in a vote by the league's head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Spring 2021 #AEWSOC Major Award Winners
Striker of the Year
Jasmine Colbert, Jr., UAlbany
- Tallied 11 points and scored five goals in nine games, tying for the league lead in both categories.
- Just the second Great Dane to win Striker of the Year honors joining Mariah Williams (2018).
- Named America East Offensive Player of the Week on March 13.
- Also earned first-team All-Conference honors.
Midfielder of the Year
Kristina Bartsch, Jr., UMass Lowell
- Started all seven games for UMass Lowell in the midfield.
- Leader in the middle of the field for the team that scored 13 goals and allowed only three in seven games.
- Is the second River Hawk to earn Midfielder of the Year honors joining Rachel Morrier (2018).
- Also a first-team All-Conference selection.
Defender of the Year
Dunja Mostarac, Jr., UMass Lowell
- Led a UMass Lowell defense that allowed only three goals in seven games, including only one in its four conference games.
- First-ever River Hawk to earn Defender of the Year honors.
- Chosen as a first-team All-America East defender for the third-straight season and was also an All-Academic selection.
Goalkeeper & Rookie of the Year
Taylor Burgess, R-Fr., UMass Lowell
- Allowed only three goals all season, leading the conference with a .912 save percentage.
- First #AEWSOC player in history to earn Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.
- Earned First-team All-Conference and All-Rookie team honors.
Coaching Staff of the Year
UMass Lowell
- Led by head coach Mira Novak, the River Hawks earned their first-ever #AEWSOC regular-season title by compiling a perfect 4-0-0 record in conference play.
- Top seed for the #AEWSOC Championship for the first time.
- Scored 13 goals and allowed only three.
- Novak is assisted by Andrea Morrow, Alex Macpherson and Matthew Harry
In addition to the major awards, the All-Conference teams were also named, led by five selections each from UMass Lowell and Stony Brook.
Burgess headlined the All-Rookie squad, which also included two other all-conference selections in UAlbany’s Olivia Piraino and New Hampshire’s Alivia Kelly, both second-team honorees.
The All-Academic squad features 11 student-athletes that average an astounding 3.87 GPA. Eight of the honorees also earned All-Conference recognition.
Crossover divisional matchups will take place in the #AEWSOC semifinals with UMass Lowell and Binghamton playing in the first semifinal on Thursday at 2 p.m. Stony Brook and Vermont will square off at 6 p.m. in the nightcap. The winners will play for the #AEWSOC title on Saturday, April 17 at 4 p.m.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central streaming and live stats links. After the game, visit for box scores, highlights and recaps following the semifinals in addition to team information, tournament history and more. Follow @AmericaEast and @AEDigitalNet on Twitter to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEWSOC hashtags to join the conversation.
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