Vistnes Repeats as ECC Offensive Player Of The Year
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Nov. 6, 2013) - Sophomore forward Susanne Vistnes (Randaberg, Norway) was selected Wednesday as the East Coast Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year for the second-straight season, as voted on by the league's coaches.
Vistnes followed up her fantastic freshman campaign with another stellar showing in her sophomore season. She once again paced the ECC with 14 goals, 34 points, and seven game-winning goals. She also ranked fourth in the conference by dishing out four assists on the season. Vistnes has been one of the most prolific scorers in Division II as well. She currently ranks in the Top-15 in the nation in points per game (2.0), goals per game (0.824), points, and goals.
Joining Vistnes on the All-Conference first-team is senior midfielder Jeanine Ambrogi (Greenlawn, N.Y.) and senior back Karina Rizzo (Oceanside, N.Y.). Ambrogi adds All-ECC first-team honors after being named to the second-team in 2012. She has tallied 10 points (4 G, 2 A) in 2013.
Meanwhile, Rizzo contributes this season's first-team nod to her 2012 ECC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and first-team kudos. She has anchored an LIU Post defense that has allowed just 10 goals this season, and an impressive plus-36 goal differential.
Senior forward Alexa Niciforo (East Islip, N.Y.) and freshman forward/midfielder Julia Backman (Morsil, Sweden) were named to the All-ECC second-team. Niciforo was named to the first-team in 2012, and has been a catalyst for the Pioneers thus far in 2013. Her 19 points (8 G, 3A) rank 11th in the conference, while the East Islip native's 35 shots on goal are good for third.
The Pioneers travel to Bridgeport, Conn. to take on top-seeded Bridgeport in an ECC Championship semifinal on Thursday (Nov. 7). The opening kick is set for 6 p.m.
2013 ECC Women's Soccer All-Conference
First Team
F - Jessica Carrillo, Mercy
F - Danielle Puddefoot, Bridgeport
F - Susanne Vistnes, LIU Post
M - Jeanine Ambrogi, LIU Post
M - Flo Gamby, Bridgeport
M - Nicola Worthington, Bridgeport
M - Abby Zielinski, Mercy
B - Crystal Mena, Mercy
B - Tabea Rauschenberger, Bridgeport
B - Karina Rizzo, LIU Post
GK - Julia Hansson, Bridgeport
Second Team
F - Amanda Moura, Bridgeport
F - Alexa Niciforo, LIU Post
F - Ellie Swan, Roberts Wesleyan
F - Lindsey Thompson, Dowling
M - Julia Backman, LIU Post
M - Rebecca LaPorte, Queens
M - Bella Mitrevski, Roberts Wesleyan
M - Jennifer Vega, Mercy
B - Ashleigh Berg, Bridgeport
B - Dominique DeFelice, Dowling
B - Lauren Mengel, Bridgeport
GK - Mersina Onesto, Queens
Offensive Player of the Year: Susanne Vistnes, So., F, LIU Post
Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year: Tabea Rauschenberger, Fr., B, Bridgeport
Goalkeeper of the Year: Julia Hansson, Sr., GK, Bridgeport
Coach of the Year: Jonathan Feinstein, Mercy