CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Nov. 10, 2014) - After wrapping up an East Coast Conference regular-season title, junior forward Susanne Vistnes (Randaberg, Norway) and sophomore back Kristin Brandman (East Northport, N.Y.) earned ECC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors, respectively, on Monday.
 
Vistnes earned the league's top offensive honor for the third-straight season. For the third time in as many years, she topped the ECC leaderboard with 18 goals and 46 points. Additionally, the Randaberg, Norway product ranked third in the conference in assists (10), and was the runner-up with four game-winning goals. Vistnes' prolific scoring ability has her ranked near the top of all of Division II, as well. During the regular season, she placed second nationally in goals, goals per game (1.13), points, and points per game (2.88).
 
Starring on an LIU Post back line that allowed only nine goals in 16 games, Brandman captured the ECC Defensive Player of the Year accolade. Her play helped the Pioneers rank in the Top-25 in Division II in both goals-against average (0.55) and shutout percentage (.563).
 
Sophomore forward/midfielder Julia Backman (Morsil, Sweden) joined Vistnes and Brandman on the All-ECC first-team. Meanwhile, senior back Lauren Bellone (West Islip, N.Y.), and junior backs Danielle Lehman (Brockport, N.Y.) and Katie LaManna (Smithtown, N.Y.) were named to the All-ECC second-team.
 
Between the pipes, sophomore goalkeeper Hreffie Agnarsdottir (Reykjavik, Iceland) was listed as an All-ECC honorable mention choice.
 
LIU Post now awaits its seeding in the upcoming NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship. The selection show is set to air tonight at 7:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
 
2014 ECC Women's Soccer All-Conference
First Team
F - Jessica DeLeon, Jr., Mercy
F - Lindsey Thompson, Sr., Dowling
F - Susanne Vistnes, Jr., LIU Post
M - Julia Backman, So., LIU Post
M - Bella Mitrevski, So., Roberts Wesleyan
M - Nicola Worthington, So., Bridgeport
M - Abby Zielinski, Sr., Mercy
B - Kristin Brandman, So., LIU Post
B - Samantha Scovel, Fr., Mercy
B - Julia Weidenmark, So., Bridgeport
GK - Melissa Guglielmo, Sr., Dowling
 
Second Team
F - Lauren Bellone, Sr., LIU Post
F - Jessica Carrillo, Sr., Mercy
F - Heaven Palamitia, Jr., Roberts Wesleyan
M - MacKenzie Cochrane, Sr., Mercy
M - Christina Cottone, So., Dowling
M - Danielle Lehman, Jr., LIU Post
M - Allie Merrill, Jr., Dowling
B - Kristen Breihof, Fr., Dowling
B - Savannah Campana, Jr., Mercy
B - Katie LaManna, Jr., LIU Post
GK - Mersina Onesto, Sr., Queens
 
Honorable Mention
Forward: Fran Glenny, So., NYIT; Danielle Valente, So., Molloy
Midfield: Gianna Jennosa, So., Molloy; Alexis Ruggiero, Fr., Daemen
Back: Gabrielle Batista, So., Molloy; Meghan Diehl, Sr., Daemen
Goalkeeper: Hreffie Agnarsdottir, So., LIU Post; Vanessa Cordoba, Fr., NYIT
 
Offensive Player of the Year: Susanne Vistnes, LIU Post
Defensive Player of the Year: Kristin Brandman, LIU Post
Goalkeeper of the Year: Melissa Guglielmo, Dowling
Rookie of the Year: Samantha Scovel, Mercy
Coach of the Year: Jonathan Feinstein, Mercy