BU Leads America East Awards

Terrier Women Win Three of Six Honors

October 30, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Boston University, the America East regular-season champion in women’s soccer, took home three of the six major postseason awards, which were determined in a vote by the league’s head coaches on Wednesday.

The Terriers’ Marisha Schumacher-Hodge was named Midfielder of the Year, while teammate and Natick (Mass.) native Casey Brown was chosen Defender of the Year and head coach Nancy Feldman and her staff were selected Coaching Staff of the Year.

Additionally, New Hampshire’s Michelle Sheehan (Belmont, Mass./Belmont) repeated as Striker of the Year. The other two awards went to Stony Brook’s Marisa Viola and Colleen McKenna, who were tabbed Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Year, respectively.

Schumacher-Hodge, the 2006 Midfielder of the Year, is tied for her team lead with 10 points on four goals and a pair assists. A three-time first-team all-conference selection, Schumacher-Hodge was selected as one of 30 candidates for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award and chosen the inaugural Fans’ Choice Player of the Year.

Casey Brown

BU's Casey Brown was named the America East Defender of the Year. (Photo courtesy: BU Athletics)

Brown, a junior back, earns Defender of the Year honors for the second straight year. The Most Outstanding Player at the 2007 America East Championship, Brown has anchored a Terrier back line which has allowed just 11 goals all year, including three in eight conference contests.

Feldman, in her 14th season at the Terriers’ helm, leads a staff that earns the America East Coaching Staff of the Year. The Terriers compiled 13 wins during the regular season and became the first team to complete the season unbeaten and untied in America East play since 2000. A six-time Coach of the Year, Feldman also received the honor in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005. She is assisted by Liz Driscoll and Jessica Clinton.

Sheehan, the 2007 Striker of the Year, has tallied six goals and one assist in just 10 games after missing seven contests due to injury. She ranks second in points per game (1.30) and goals per contest (0.60). Sheehan, a senior, was named Player of the Week on October 14 for the third time in her career.

Sheehan and McKenna are joined at forward on the all-conference first team by Boston University’s Mara Osher (Ellington, Conn.), who ranks among league leaders with four assists and has 10 points on the season.

Schumacher-Hodge is joined in the midfield by Hartford’s Kacey Busque (Manchester, Conn.), New Hampshire’s Caitlin Whelan (Weymouth, Mass.), the 2007 Midfielder of the Year and Stony Brook’s Brooke Barbuto.

Brown is joined at defender on the league’s top team by teammate Angelina Cords and Hartford’s Lauren Aldred who is tied for the league lead with eight goals and tied for third with 16 points despite playing in the back.

The second-team forwards consist of Boston University’s Farrell McClernon a second-team selection each of the past two years, Binghamton’s Dani Raske and Hartford’s Breeanna Robinson (East Hampstead, N.H.), who combined for 13 goals and six assists this season.

Second-team midfielders include, Binghamton’s Mandi Casares for the second straight year, Boston University’s Emily Pallotta (Andover, Mass.), a first-team choice in 2007 and Shauna Kelleher (Canton, Mass.) and Maine’s Kim Stephenson (Hampden, Maine).

Nicole Montoya of Binghamton, Elizabeth Speck of Boston U. and Christina Di Ielsi of Maine make up the second-team defenders.

The Terriers’ Janie Reilly was the second-team goalkeeper after compiling a league-leading 0.58 goals-against average and eight shutouts.

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