Sonnerborg Honored As ECC Scholar-Athlete Of The Year
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (June 29, 2009) – The East Coast Conference announced
Maria Sonnerborg (Bjarred, Sweden) of the C.W. Post women's soccer team and senior defender Patrick Cunningham (Oakdale, N.Y.) of the Dowling College men's soccer team as this year's Scholar Athletes.
Sonnerborg, garnering Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, compiled a 3.905 grade
point average and graduated with a degree in business. The Second Team All-Conference
recipient led the Pioneers with 17 goals, including eight game winning tallies and four assists
during the 2008 season. She helped C.W. Post captured its second straight ECC title and
advance to the second round of the NCAA Championships.
Cunningham, named the Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year, has amassed a 3.9 grade point
average and will graduate with a degree in accounting. He was a staple on the Dowling defense
for four years, having been a part of the 2006 National Championship team and the 2008
National Finalists team. Continually earning spots on the Dean's List and Athletic Director's
Honor Roll, Cunningham was also named to the 2008 Academic All-District First Team as well
as the ECC All-Conference First Team. In the 2008 post season, he was named to the Final Four
All-Tournament Team and was the TFCU Scholar-Athlete of the Month in December.
The nominees for the East Coast Conference Scholar-Athlete of Year award have been selected
as Scholar-Athletes of the Year in their respective sports. A Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of
the Year nominees are voted upon and selected by the Faculty Athletic Representatives from
each ECC institution.