November 15, 2012
Brooklyn's Shani Abrahams Named CUNYAC Rookie of the Year; Four Others Named All-Stars
Flushing, NY --- Brooklyn College sophomore Shani Abrahams has been named the 2012 City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC)/Applebee's Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year, as voted on by the conference coaches. Freshman Sayla Flores was named a First-Team All-Star, while sophomore Janet Rodriguez, freshman Shani Nakhid-Schuster and senior Catherine Quinn were all named Second-Team All-Stars.
All five student-athletes played an integral part in guiding the BC Women's Soccer program to a 6-7-1 overall record and 2-4 in the CUNYAC in its first season.
Abrahams led the Bulldogs in their inaugural season starting in all 14 games on the year and tallying a team-best 11 goals, to go along with an assist for 23 points. She tallied the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over borough rival Polytechnic Institute of New York University on September 24th. Abrahams also had a streak of six straight games with at least one goal during the season.
"I feel so honored to be the recipient of this award," said Abrahams. "Playing college soccer is literally a dream come true for me. I'm so grateful to my team and my coaches for making my first year such a wonderful experience."
"Shani is truly deserving of her 2012 CUNYAC Rookie of the Year award," said Head Coach Patrick Horne. "I don't believe there is another player in the CUNYAC who worked as hard, and she made full use of her uncoachable asset - her speed. She carried us on her slim shoulders and her fast feet from the very first game to the last, and words cannot express how proud I am of Shani and all the girls."
Flores also started in all 14 games en route to a strong season in her first campaign, registering five goals and three assists for 13 points on the year. Flores notched two game-winning goals on the season.
Rodriguez appeared in 13 games on the year, while making 12 starts helping to anchor the BC defense.
Nakid-Schuster started in all 14 games, scoring three goals (one game-winner) to go with three assists for nine points; while Quinn played in all 14 games and started in 12 games, to go with four goals and one assist for nine points.
Player of the Year: Dzindzi Asamoah-Wade, CCNY
Rookie of the Year: Shani Abrahams, Brooklyn
Coach of the Year: Don Manfria, CCNY
Sportsmanship Award: Melanie Varillas, Lehman
First-Team All-Stars
GK – Andrea Antoni, John Jay
D – Anna Lales, York
D – Samantha Guillen, John Jay
D – Heather Ruger, CCNY
D – Samantha Dias, Lehman
MF – Samantha Wysokowski, Staten Island
MF – Melissa Gelardi, Staten Island
MF – Frances Tapia, CCNY
MF – Sayla Flores, Brooklyn
F – Demi-Jean Martorano, Staten Island
F – Bergelie Louis, John Jay
Second-Team All-Stars
GK – Nicole Carroll, CCNY
D – Nicole Molinell, Staten Island
D – Janet Rodriguez, Brooklyn
D – Latima Malachi, York
D – Katelyn Davis, John Jay
MF – Xochitl Ariza, John Jay
MF – Juliana Generoso, Lehman
MF – Deanna Kvekoff, Staten Island
MF – Shani Nakhid-Schuster, Brooklyn
F – Paola Ramos, CCNY
F – Catherine Quinn, Brooklyn
All five student-athletes played an integral part in guiding the BC Women's Soccer program to a 6-7-1 overall record and 2-4 in the CUNYAC in its first season.
Abrahams led the Bulldogs in their inaugural season starting in all 14 games on the year and tallying a team-best 11 goals, to go along with an assist for 23 points. She tallied the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over borough rival Polytechnic Institute of New York University on September 24th. Abrahams also had a streak of six straight games with at least one goal during the season.
"I feel so honored to be the recipient of this award," said Abrahams. "Playing college soccer is literally a dream come true for me. I'm so grateful to my team and my coaches for making my first year such a wonderful experience."
"Shani is truly deserving of her 2012 CUNYAC Rookie of the Year award," said Head Coach Patrick Horne. "I don't believe there is another player in the CUNYAC who worked as hard, and she made full use of her uncoachable asset - her speed. She carried us on her slim shoulders and her fast feet from the very first game to the last, and words cannot express how proud I am of Shani and all the girls."
Flores also started in all 14 games en route to a strong season in her first campaign, registering five goals and three assists for 13 points on the year. Flores notched two game-winning goals on the season.
Rodriguez appeared in 13 games on the year, while making 12 starts helping to anchor the BC defense.
Nakid-Schuster started in all 14 games, scoring three goals (one game-winner) to go with three assists for nine points; while Quinn played in all 14 games and started in 12 games, to go with four goals and one assist for nine points.
2012 CUNYAC/Applebee's Women's Soccer All-Stars
Player of the Year: Dzindzi Asamoah-Wade, CCNY
Rookie of the Year: Shani Abrahams, Brooklyn
Coach of the Year: Don Manfria, CCNY
Sportsmanship Award: Melanie Varillas, Lehman
First-Team All-Stars
GK – Andrea Antoni, John Jay
D – Anna Lales, York
D – Samantha Guillen, John Jay
D – Heather Ruger, CCNY
D – Samantha Dias, Lehman
MF – Samantha Wysokowski, Staten Island
MF – Melissa Gelardi, Staten Island
MF – Frances Tapia, CCNY
MF – Sayla Flores, Brooklyn
F – Demi-Jean Martorano, Staten Island
F – Bergelie Louis, John Jay
Second-Team All-Stars
GK – Nicole Carroll, CCNY
D – Nicole Molinell, Staten Island
D – Janet Rodriguez, Brooklyn
D – Latima Malachi, York
D – Katelyn Davis, John Jay
MF – Xochitl Ariza, John Jay
MF – Juliana Generoso, Lehman
MF – Deanna Kvekoff, Staten Island
MF – Shani Nakhid-Schuster, Brooklyn
F – Paola Ramos, CCNY
F – Catherine Quinn, Brooklyn
