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EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) began in 1980 and is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, the conference has compiled a 35th anniversary team to showcase its best spring sport athletes from the past three and half decades. These 47 male and female individuals, divided into a first and second team, are the best student-athletes in conference history. Below are their accomplishments and accolades.
Men’s First Team
(listed alphabetically by school)
Connor Panas, Canisius, Baseball
Connor Panas, the only MAAC back-to-back male student athlete of the year award winner (2014, 2015), finished his Canisius career with a laundry list of accolades, helping to lead the Golden Griffins to their second MAAC Championship in 2015, earning 2015 MAAC Tournament MVP honors during the five-game win streak. Panas finished his Canisius career third in program history in hits, second in doubles and first in career-triples. Panas was highly regarded in the league, earning 2014 MAAC Player of the Year honors to go along with MAAC first-team accolades in both his junior and senior seasons. The Blue and Gold infielder was a 2015 Capital One Academic All-American along with an ABCA/Rawlings All-American nod. The Toronto, Ontario native was also just the second player in MAAC history to earn NCBWA District II Player of the Year honors.
Kevin Ross, Canisius, Men’s Lacrosse
The only player in school history to lead the Griffs in scoring in each of his four seasons on campus, Kevin Ross was a four-time all-conference selection from 2004 to 2007, while collecting MAAC Offensive Player of the Year accolades in 2006. He helped lead a program that had made only one conference tournament prior to his arrival to three trips to the postseason, highlighted by a MAAC Regular Season Championship in 2006. He ranked in the top 15 nationally three times in goals per game (12th in 2004, ninth in 2006 and 2007), while also placing seventh in the country in points per game as a senior. Overall, Ross ranks fourth in school history with 185 points, second with 126 goals and ninth with 59 assists. After graduating, Ross was selected in the first round (12th overall) in the National Lacrosse League Draft and has played nine seasons in the league with 330 career points.
Joe Michalsin, Fairfield, Men’s Tennis
The MAAC Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010, Joe Michalisin totaled seven All-MAAC honors in his Fairfield career. He was First Team All-MAAC singles in 2009, 2010 and 2012, First Team All-MAAC doubles in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and Second Team All-MAAC Doubles in 2009. Also the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2009, Michalisin won a program-record 27 singles matches in that campaign (27-5, .844). His best doubles season came in 2010-11, when he was victorious 25 times as a part of a 25-6 (.806) mark. Michalisin was also a three-time MAAC All-Academic selection and a two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete. He helped lead the Stags to the final round of the MAAC Championship in all four of his seasons, culminating with a conference title in 2012 to stake Fairfield to its first-ever NCAA postseason berth.
Tim Bayley, Iona, Track and Field
Tim Bayley '07 MBA was a two-year standout both indoor and outdoor track for the Maroon & Gold. In his first year, he set an Iona school record in the 1,500-meter run in his outdoor track debut at the Stanford Invitational on March 31, 2006. Bayley was crowned the NCAA East Regional Champion in the 800-meter run in Greensboro, NC on May 27, 2006. Later on in the season, he was the national runner up in the outdoor 800-meter event in 2006, with a time of 1:46.64 on June 10, 2006 in Sacramento, CA. The mark was the second fastest in school history just .01 seconds off a 27-year old record set by former Gael great Billy Martin. At the time of his graduation, he held the second and third fastest times in Iona history in the indoor mile. In 2007, he ran a 4:00.24 on February 9 at the University of Washington's Husky Classic. Bayley was a two-time indoor qualifier for the NCAA Championship mile, In the 2007 outdoor campaign, he ran the third fastest 800-meter time on the East Coast and 10th fastest time in the country leading up to the Regional and National Championships. He finished fifth overall at the 2007 NCAA Championships in the 800 to earn All-America honors. Off the track he was a MAAC All-Academic Team performer for both the indoor and outdoor seasons. He was also presented with a Merit Award with a 3.81 GPA for his graduate studies in Journalism. He was also named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team.
Leonard Korir, Iona, Track and Field
Leonard Korir '12 is one of the most accomplished cross country / track & field performers in the rich tradition of excellence of the Iona College program. Korir is a two-time NCAA Champion winning both the indoor 5,000-meter event and the outdoor 10,000-meter event during his junior campaign in 2011. He was the first NCAA Champion in Iona history. Korir was an eight-time All-American during his three years in New Rochelle earning the award twice in cross country, in four indoor track events and in two outdoor track events. He finished fourth as a junior at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championship and improved to third in 2011. In indoor track, Korir was All-American in the 3,000- and 5,000-meter events in both 2011 and 2012. He also earned the honor on the outdoor track in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter events in 2011. Korir was also the NCAA Cross Country regional champion in 2010 and 2011 and a six-time MAAC Champion during his career. He was a three-time cross country champion along with the indoor mile (2011), DMR (2011) and 3k (2012) and outdoor 10k in 2012. He graduated Iona as the school record holder in the indoor 5k and outdoor 10k.
Chris Cody, Manhattan, Baseball
Arguably the finest pitcher in Manhattan history, Cody holds school-records for wins (29), complete games (19) and strikeouts (295) while ranking third in innings (327.2 IP) to go along with a 2.94 ERA. Cody capped his great career with arguably the best individual season in school history, going 12-2 with nine complete games, 105 strikeouts over 108 innings with the fourth-lowest ERA (1.42) in the nation. Cody’s 12 wins, nine complete games, 105 strikeouts and 108 innings were and still remain school-records. Numbers aside, Cody’s performance against No. 6 Nebraska continues to stand as one of the finest Manhattan Athletics moments of all-time. The hard-throwing lefty struck out seven, against just one walk, while scattering one run on eight hits over 9.0 innings in a complete game, 142-pitch performance for the Jaspers’ first NCAA Baseball win. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the eighth round of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft and ascended to the Triple A ranks before playing professionally in Taiwan.
Joseph Radin, Marist, Men’s Lacrosse
Arguably the finest men’s lacrosse student-athlete to ever play at Marist, Joseph Radin became the first Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft choice in program history when he was selected in the sixth round, 45th overall, by the Charlotte Hounds prior to his senior season in 2016. He helped lead the Red Foxes to three straight appearances in the MAAC Championship game. In the Red Foxes’ record setting 2015 campaign, the left handed attackman broke the MAAC single-season scoring record with his 53rd goal and ended the year with 55. The Red Foxes won their first MAAC title in a decade in 2015 and took down Bryant in a preliminary round contest in Tenney Stadium for their first NCAA tournament victory. Radin was named to the All-MAAC First Team three times and earned back to back Offensive Player of the Year nods and MAAC All-Tournament Team selections in 2015 and 2016. He was also named the 2013 MAAC Rookie of the Year and Marist’s 2015-16 Sportsman of the Year. At the end of his four-year career, Radin was Marist’s all-time goals leader with 166 and was third in points (213). Those numbers were second and fifth among active players at the end of the 2016 season. He scored a goal in his final 32 games in a Marist uniform, which was the longest streak in the country after the 2016 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse season had ended. Radin was also up for many national awards during his senior season. A member of the initial Tewaaraton Award Watch List in 2016, he was one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. He was a First Team All-American for the award and finished third in fan voting for the honor. Radin wore no. 34 for the 2016 season in honor of former Marist men’s lacrosse player Edward Coombs, who passed away in a car accident in 2011.
Chris Tracz, Marist, Baseball
Chris Tracz is arguably the greatest pitcher in the 25-year history of the Marist baseball program. A 2005 Marist graduate, Tracz still holds the program records for wins (38), strikeouts (298), innings pitched (379.1) and starts (56). He is also tied for first in complete games (14) and second in ERA (3.13). Tracz was a two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Year (2002, 2005), and the conference’s Rookie of the Year (2001). During his career, Tracz’s teams made three NCAA Regional appearances (2001, 2002, 2005), and won a game in both 2001 and 2002, with the 2002 victory coming in a game when he started and allowed one run over seven innings. In 2001, Tracz was also a Freshman All-American selection by Louisville Slugger and Baseball America. He was named First Team All-Region in both 2002 and 2005. In 2004, Tracz missed the entire season due to Tommy John Surgery, but he returned in 2005 and earned MAAC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-Region honors as Marist won the MAAC for the third time in his career. Following his graduation, Tracz became Marist’s pitching coach, a role he served in from the 2006-08 seasons. He returned the Red Foxes as the team’s head coach for the 2010 season. In his seven seasons at the helm, he has compiled a record of 180-174-2 while seven players have been selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Dylan Capwell, Monmouth, Track and Field
Monmouth University junior Dylan Capwell (Hopatcong, N.J./Hopatcong) ran to an eighth place finish in the 800 meter run at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Championship. He becomes the first Hawk in school history to earn Indoor First Team All-American status twice in a career and the first to score at the NCAAs two years in a row in either indoors or outdoors. Capwell registered four consecutive NCAA Championships, only missing the Indoor Championship during his rookie campaign and following an injury during his junior year. Heading into the 2016 outdoor season, Capwell had made every NCAA Championship and accumulated the most NCAA appearances by a Monmouth athlete. During his sophomore season, he finished second in the 800 meter run at the NCAA Finals, the highest finish ever for a Monmouth athlete.
Mike Thomas, Rider, Baseball
Thomas won 2 MAAC titles, pitched in 2 NCAA Regionals, played in 4 MAAC Tournaments Two-time First Team All-MAAC, two-time First Team All-NJ Drafted in the 35th round in 2011 and in 2015 pitched on the AAA level in the Pacific Coast league, one step away from the Major Leagues Graduated magna cum laude with Rider career records for victories (29) and strikeouts (286). Over his last two seasons at Rider he was 18-6 with 190 strikeouts in 200 innings. In 2011 he was 9-3 with a 2.34 earned run average.
Bryan Neufeld, Siena, Men’s Lacrosse
Two-time MAAC Offensive Player of the Year (2011, 2012) and 2009 MAAC Rookie of the Year is conference’s all-time leading scorer with 240 points. Only four-time First Team All-MAAC selection in program history earned MAAC Offensive Player of the Week honors eight times.Two-time USILA All-American Honorable Mention (2011, 2012).2012 North/South Senior All-Star Game participant.2012 Senior CLASS Award candidate. Led all Division I players nationally from the Class of 2012 with 156 career goals scored.2012 Inside Lacrosse Consensus Midseason All-American was named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List. As a senior in 2012 ranked second nationally in assists per game (2.44) and fourth in points per game (4.75).Ranked 10th nationally in scoring in 2011.Led all Division I freshmen in goals scored (38) and ranked third in scoring (51) in 2009 in being named a five-time MAAC Rookie of the Week.2011-12 Siena College Male Athlete of the Year...Catalyst for winningest class in program history (48 wins) which went 27-1 in the MAAC including four regular season championships and the Saints’ first two MAAC Tournament Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2011).Named MAAC Offensive Player of the Week eight times during his career.
Dan Paolini, Siena, Baseball
Two-time MAAC Player of the Year (2010, 2011) and 2009 MAAC Rookie of the Year. 2010 Collegiate Baseball Second Team All-American and 2011 ABCA Third Team and College Baseball Insider Honorable Mention All-American. 2010 ECAC Player of the Year and 2009 ECAC Rookie of the Year. 2009 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. MAAC’s all-time career (56) and single-season (26 in 2010) home run king. Also holds Siena’s career batting average mark (.380) and single-season records in runs scored (62 in 2010), hits (86 as a freshman in 2009) and total bases (173 in 2010). In just three collegiate seasons (161 games) tallied 237 hits and 184 RBI. Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 10th Round in 2011.
Men’s Second Team
(listed alphabetically by school)
Matt Callaghan, Fairfield, Men’s Lacrosse
Though he played just three of his four seasons in the MAAC, Matt Callaghan made an impact on the conference and on the Fairfield University men’s lacrosse program that ranks him among the all-time greats. From 1996-98, he racked up 118 goals and 87 assists for the Stags, totaling 205 points. Even disregarding his freshman season of 1995 – when Fairfield was a Division I independent – Callaghan would still rank second all-time in goals at the University, third in points and tied for second in assists in program history. Including his 1995 stats, he is Fairfield’s all-time leader in points (247) and ranks second in both goals (146) and assists (101). Callaghan was a two-time MAAC Player of the Year (1997 and 1998) and earned three consecutive First Team All-MAAC nods from 1996-98. His 75 points in 1997 established a program record that stands today (now tied with Spencer Steele), while his 45 goals in that season were a program record at the time and still rank second in Fairfield history. Additionally, his 30 assists in 1997 currently slot at third in program annals. Also in the single-season record books at Fairfield, Callaghan shares the program high with 33 assists in 1998, ranks third with 41 goals in 1996 (a program record at the time) and fourth with a pair of 65-point seasons in 1996 and 1998. A team captain of Fairfield’s 1998 squad, Callaghan was inducted into the Fairfield Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. Callaghan’s play translated into team success for the Stags as well. Fairfield was a perfect 23-0 against MAAC competition from 1996-98 as a part of a 30-18 (.625) overall record in those seasons. The NCAA did not award automatic bids into the 12-team NCAA Championship field during that era, but Callaghan helped lead Fairfield to a postseason title with victories over Boston College and host Colgate to win the 1998 ECAC Tournament.
Jay Mulieri, Loyola, Golf
Jay Mulieri put together one of the finest seasons for a Loyola golfer in 2012, finishing his senior year with 21 rounds at par or better and a 71.83 stroke average, both single-season school records. Ranked 67th nationally, Mulieri earned PING All-Region First Team honors in 2012 after playing in all 12 tournaments and finishing as Loyola’s low scorer eight times. He won the Fireline Towson Invite and MAAC title, while he lost the Hartford Invite in a playoff. In winning the 2012 MAAC title, Mulieri joined his brother Mike in becoming the first pair of brothers to win the McLeod Trophy. Also the 2009 MAAC Rookie of the Year, Mulieri was the MAAC runner-up in 2010 and helped Loyola to three team titles.
Michael Mulieri, Loyola, Golf
Michael Mulieri won the MAAC title as a junior and a senior, in 2008 and 2009, leading Loyola to the team title and NCAA Regional Championships in each of those years, sparking a six-year championship run for the Greyhounds. Mulieri is Loyola’s four-year career scoring average leader, at 74.14, while he also owns the program’s record for tournament wins, claiming five throughout his career, and most rounds at par or better, with 33. A consistent player throughout his career, Mulieri was a two-time PING All-Region honoree, while he captured three MAAC Golfer of the Month awards and was named the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2007-08 year after being a finalist in 2006-07.
Eugene Tanner, Manhattan, Men’s Lacrosse
Three-time All-MAAC First Selection and 2002 MAAC Rookie of the Year. Scored a school-record 51 goals en route to nothing a school-record 74 points as a freshman in 2002 while adding 23 assists and helping lead Manhattan to its first MAAC Championship. Also earned First Team All-MAAC honors as a junior and a senior. For his career, he is second in goals (98), first in assists (89) and first in points (187).
Victor Pugliese, Monmouth, Men’s Tennis
A two-time MAAC Player of the Year in his two years in the league, Pugliese posted a 35-11 singles mark, including a 28-4 record at No. 1 and a 13-0 record in dual matches against MAAC competition. He was a two-time All-MAAC First Team selection at No. 1 singles. He also earned All-MAAC First Team honors at No. 1 doubles as a senior, a year after being named to the Second Team at the top flight as a junior. The Frenchman was selected to participate in the 2014 Fall Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Men's All-American Championships after posting a 22-4 singles record as a junior. He then went 13-7 as a senior with the Blue and White, leading Monmouth to its first-ever MAAC Regular Season Championship. He finished his Monmouth career on an eight-match winning streak, winning all eight matches in straight sets.
Walter Garcia, Niagara, Men’s Tennis
Walter Garcia is the all-time leader in singles wins (73) in Niagara men’s tennis history. Garcia bookend his career with MAAC Rookie of the Year (2005) and MAAC Player of the Year (2008) honors. As a freshman during the 2004-05 season, Garcia posted a team-best 22-10 overall singles record for the season, including a 9-5 record at No. 1 singles, a 3-1 record at No. 2 singles and he was 5-1 in conference matches. He earned All-MAAC Second Team honors in No. 1 singles in 2006 with a 17-7 overall record, including going 5-1 in conference matches. Garcia concluded his career by being named 2008 MAAC Tennis Player of the Year. Garcia finished the season with a 16-1 record at first singles and went 5-0 in conference play. Garcia ended the season on a 12-match winning streak at No. 1 singles en route to also being named to the All-MAAC First Team. Garcia and doubles partner Alex Abji went 12-2 overall, including finishing the year with a seven-match undefeated streak, to earn All-MAAC Second Team honors in No. 2 doubles.
Jordan Schwartz, Niagara, Baseball
In his three-year career with the Purple Eagles, Jordan Schwartz was a triple-threat, dominating opponents on the mound, in the field and at the plate. Schwartz started 88 games for the Purple and White and finished his career with 81 hits, 29 runs, eight doubles and 38 RBIs. Schwartz holds the Niagara single season record for innings pitched with 95.1 (2014), as well as having the second-most single season strikeouts with 109 (2014) and third-most season starts with 14 (2014). In his final season in 2014, the Hornell, N.Y. native led Niagara with a 3.12 ERA, 14 starts and five complete games. He led the MAAC in strikeouts with 109, including a conference-best 31 strikeouts looking. In addition to his success on the mound, Schwartz made 38 starts in the outfield and finished the season batting .258 with 31 hits, three doubles, 20 RBIs and 13 runs. Schwartz was recognized by the MAAC, earning both MAAC Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week honors and being selected to the All-MAAC Second Team, as well as being recognized nationally; he was named to the 2014 Gregg Olson Award watch list, which recognizes college baseball’s breakout players. Schwartz was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft, making him the second-highest drafted player in Niagara history behind Doug Farrell, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second and third rounds in 1971 and 1972.
Kei Ezaka, Quinnipiac, Men’s Tennis
Since Quinnipiac joined the MAAC, Kei Ezaka has been one of the best men’s tennis players in the league and will go down as one of the best in Quinnipiac history. In 2015-16, Ezaka was named the MAAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Year, two seasons after being named the MAAC Men’s Tennis Rookie of the Year in 2013-14. Ezaka was named to the All-MAAC First Team at No. 1 singles in 2015-16 and All-MAAC Second Team at No. 1 singles in 2014-15. Ezaka was the first player in program history to be named a conference player of the year. Ezaka has a career record of 109-70 through three collegiate seasons and a 30-9 record in the MAAC. In 2015-16, Ezaka set new career-highs with 39 overall wins and 20 doubles wins while tying his career-high with 19 singles wins. He is currently sixth in program history with 109 wins, 28 shy of tying the program record while his 54 singles wins are fourth and 55 doubles wins are tied for fifth.
Thomas Jankins, Quinnipiac, Baseball
Thomas Jankins has been one of the most dominant pitchers in Quinnipiac baseball history and one of the best in the MAAC since 2014, culminated in two consecutive All-MAAC First Team Selections in 2015 and 2016. He is also a two-time MAAC All-Academic Team Selection. Through his junior season in 2016, Jankins has pitched 257 1/3 innings and picked up 16 wins to lead the Bobcats. He jumped into the No. 1 spot in the rotation as a freshman and has not relinquished it. He has recorded 180 strikeouts, which rank eighth all-time in program history and fourth in the Division I era of Quinnipiac baseball while his career 3.50 ERA ranks 18th in MAAC history. It also ranks as the lowest career ERA for a Quinnipiac pitcher in the Division I era and tied for 10th all-time in program history. In 2016, Jankins had one of his best statistical seasons, striking out 79 batters which was just two shy of tying the Division I program record of 81 set in 2009. He ranked fifth in the league in strikeouts.
Scott Rich, Rider, Baseball
Rider Hall of Famer. Set six Rider career records, including hits, RBI and doubles. Was selected in the 21st round by the New York Yankees in the 2004 Amateur Baseball Draft Graduated with career records in hits (263), RBI (164), and doubles (63), as well as total bases, games played and at bats, and was a standout defensive outfielder. Batted .375 in his final Rider season with 75 hits in 51 games, including 15 home runs and 17 doubles First Team All-MAAC, First Team All-NJ. Ended the season ranked 18th in the nation in slugging percentage (.715) as a senior.
Connor Mullee, Saint Peter’s, Baseball
Mullee, a 24th round pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Yankees. The 2011 graduate of Saint Peter's is the program's all-time career leader in doubles (55), RBIs (141), total bases (331) and ranks second in program history for career in games played (205), second in games starts (205), second in at-bats (743), second in runs scored (130), second in hits (216), third in home runs (17), sixth in walks (80) and 12th in stolen bases (37) when he finished his playing career in 2010. He also sits in the Top-10 in 10 single-season categories in team history.
Isaiah Harris, Saint Peter’s, Track and Field
Harris competed in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In 2012-13, Harris competed in the triple jump, posting a 15.22-meter effort. Harris competed in the NCAA Outdoor Championships and also competed in the NCAA Indoor Championships in the high jump. Harris finished 14th overall with a jump of 2.04-meters. all-american honors for Harris… Harris was a Second Team All-American selection for his performance during the indoor season. Harris set a new mark in the high jump with his leap of 2.21-meters. Harris also broke a MAAC record in the outdoor triple jump, notching a jump of 15.38-meters. Isaiah earned his second consecutive Most Outstanding Performer for Field Events at the MAAC Outdoor Championships. He also received the same honor during the indoor season. Isaiah earned MAAC Indoor Track and Field Male Performer Of The Week honors for his performance in the Great Dane Classic. Harris notched a first place finish in the triple jump with a height of 15.15-meters. He also set a Saint Peter's indoor track and field record in the high jump with a jump of 2.15-meters. His strong performance earned him IC4A qualifying marks for both events.
Women’s First Team
(listed alphabetically by school)
Maria Kotas, Canisius, Women’s Lacrosse
One of the best to play the sport of lacrosse in the MAAC, Maria Kotas led the Griffs to an unprecedented run in the conference during her four years. She led Canisius to a MAAC Championship in each of her four years – the first four titles in the program’s history and the first lacrosse team to win four-straight MAAC Championships. She was named to the all-conference team and the MAAC All-Tournament Team in each of her four seasons, becoming the only player in conference history to be named to the postseason team all four years. She was also a two-time MAAC Championship MVP, while also collecting Midfielder of the Year honors as a senior when she ranked 10th nationally in points per game, 17th in goals, second in caused turnovers, fourth in ground balls and 23rd in draw controls. She also became the first player in conference history to be named a first-team regional All-American in 2014 when she was selected to the IWLCA All-West/Midwest Region First Team. Overall, Kotas ranks third in school history with 200 career points, fifth with 136 career goals, fifth with 64 career assists, second with 192 career draw controls, second with 183 career ground balls and second with 117 career caused turnovers.
Jody Tassone, Canisius, Softball
A four-time MAAC champion, Jody Tassone graduated from Canisius in 1997 and she earned her master’s degree from the College in 2001… A career .422 hitter, Tassone graduated from Canisius as the school’s career leader in hits (215), doubles (46) and triples (26)… Still holds the school record for career doubles and triples… Her .422 career batting average is tops among all Canisius players in the school’s MAAC era… Hit better than .425 in two separate seasons (‘93 and ‘94)… Still ranks among the top-10 in five different offensive categories in school history… Was a member of the softball program at Canisius when the team posted an overall record of 133-32 to go with a 43-3 MAAC record.
Kristen Coleman, Fairfield, Women’s Lacrosse
In just three seasons, Kristen Coleman dominated the record books as the all-time leading scorer in Fairfield and MAAC women’s lacrosse history. She compiled 257 career points fueled by 186 goals – also a Fairfield and MAAC record total – and also tops the Stags’ all-time list with 71 assists. She started her career as the MAAC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year in 2008, scoring a Fairfield-record 68 goals – which stood as the MAAC record until 2016 – en route to the 90 points that also topped the MAAC ledger until this past spring. She repeated Offensive Player of the Year after an 88-pont campaign in 2009 and earned her third First Team All-MAAC nod in 2010 with 79 points. Coleman was a three-time IWLCA All-Northeast Region Second Team and MAAC All-Academic honoree. She was chosen by her teammates as a co-captain for the 2011 season, though she was out of action for the campaign due to injury. Coleman was the leading scorer on three straight MAAC Regular Season Champions from 2008-10, including the 2009 squad that won the MAAC Championship to advance to the NCAA postseason. In her three active years with the Stags, Fairfield went 18-0 in the MAAC as a part of a 47-10 (.825) overall record.
Melissa Santos, Fairfield, Softball
Melissa Santos finished her softball career as the all-time leader in wins (83), appearances (147), and strikeouts (1,156) at both Fairfield University and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. She was a two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Year and also added a Co-Pitcher of the Year award during her four-year career. Santos earned three All-Region nods from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). She won at least 17 games in all four of her seasons with the Stags, highlighted by a 22-win season in 2001 and a personal-best 27-win campaign in 2002. She finished the 2002 season with a 0.95 ERA, aided by her 13 shutouts. She averaged better than a strikeout per inning pitched with 1,156 in 890.2 innings pitched.
Sarah Jackson, Iona, Softball
Sarah Jackson '12 is the most decorated softball player in Iona College history. A three-time team captain, Jackson helped lead the Gaels to three straight MAAC Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012. She finished her Iona career with a 62-42 record in the circle, posting a 1.77 ERA with 802 strikeouts in 677.0 innings pitched while earning double-digit wins in all four seasons with the Gaels. Her career-high win total was 18 as a sophomore in 2010. Jackson was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the 2010 and 2011 MAAC Softball Championships. She was a three-time All-MAAC First Team performer from 2010-12, the MAAC Pitcher of the year in 2010 and 2012 and the MAAC Rookie of the Year and Second Team honoree in 2009. Jackson graduated as Iona softball’s all-time leader in wins (62), strikeouts (802), games started (106), games pitched (106), innings pitched (677.0), shutouts (26) and strikeout ratio (8.3 per seven innings). She set the Iona single-season record for strikeouts with 227 as a junior in 2011, only to eclipse the mark with 241 as a senior.
Salome Kosgei, Iona, Track and Field
Salome Kosgei '07 was one of the top female cross country and track and field performers in Iona history. Kosgei graduated Iona holding seven school records, including the fastest indoor mile, 3,000- and 5,000-meter and outdoor 3,000-, 5,000- and 10,000-meter times. She also ran the fastest 1,600-meter split in the distance medley relay. Kosgei was a nine-time MAAC Champion during her Iona career. In 2004-05 she was a member of the MAAC Champion Indoor distance medley relay quartet in addition to winning solo titles in both the outdoor 1,500- and 10,000-meter events. In 2005-06, she repeated as a member of the DMR on the indoor track. In her final season, she won the 2006 MAAC Cross Country championship in addition to the indoor mile and 3,000-meters and outdoor 5,000- and 10,000-meter event. In 2006 she was the NCAA Northeast Region individual champion in cross country, helping to lead the Gaels to their first ever team appearance in the NCAA Championships where she finished 52nd overall. She earned First Team All-America honors in the indoor 5k in 2007, finishing eighth in the event at the University of Arkansas. She improved upon a Second Team performance in 2006 and a 15th place finish. In 2005 and 2006 she was an NCAA Outdoor qualifier in the 5k event and competed in the East Regionals at Ichan Stadium in New York City (2005) and at the University of Florida (2006).
Aliann Pompey, Manhattan, Track and Field
Pompey became Manhattan’s first female National Champion when she won the 400 meters at the 2000 NCAA Indoor Championships. She also holds the NCAA record for the 500 meters with her 1:09.23 clocking at the 2000 ECAC Indoor Championships. That is one of seven Manhattan records that Pompey still holds. She also holds the MAAC and Metropolitan indoor and outdoor 400-meter records. An eight-time Metropolitan Champion, Pompey was named one of the MAAC’s top 25 performers of all-time in 2006. She represented Guyana at four straight Olympics (2000-12) and eight World Championships, while also winning a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Pompey is currently a team official for the Guyanese Olympic Committee, as well as a member of the Pan American Sports Organization Athletes Commission.
Teresa Healy, Niagara, Softball
Teresa Healy rewrote the Niagara softball record books in her four years on Monteagle Ridge. Playing second base for the Purple Eagles from 2008 to 2011, Healy was named First Team All-MAAC each season and she was named the MAAC Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011. In her first two seasons at Niagara, Healy racked up 70 RBIs, 25 doubles, six triples, and 19 home runs while leading the team with slugging percentages of .662 and .680 as a freshman and sophomore, respectively. As a junior, Healy’s play elevated to another level, leading the MAAC with a .446 batting average (62-for-139), .500 on-base percentage, and .741 slugging percentage. She added 44 RBIs, 32 runs scored, nine doubles, one triple, and 10 home runs en route to her first MAAC Player of the Year honor. Healy again led the MAAC with a .425 batting average and .867 slugging percentage in 2011. As a senior, she set career highs with a .524 on-base percentage, 15 doubles, and 12 home runs, adding 39 RBIs and 36 runs. Healy ranks as the Purple Eagles’ career leader in several categories, accumulating 557 at-bats, 147 runs, 219 hits, 153 RBIs, 49 doubles, 41 home runs, and 457 total bases in her time at Niagara. She led Niagara to three MAAC Championship appearances, including a second-place finish in 2009. Majoring in economics and finance, Healy was also a MAAC All-Academic Team member in each of the three years she was eligible.
Milena Matijevic, Niagara, Women’s Tennis
Milena Matijevic finished her career at Niagara as the program's all-time singles and doubles winner. She finished her four-year career with a singles record of 104-9 and a doubles mark of 56-16. The Purple Eagles’ former No. 1 singles and doubles player helped lead Niagara to its first regular-season title in 2003 en route to winning the program’s first-ever MAAC Tournament Championship and trip to the 2003 NCAA Tournament. A two-time MAAC Most Outstanding Player of the Year helped Niagara to its first-ever national ranking in 2004. A three-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team, Matijevic was honored as a 2004 CoSIDA Women's At-Large Academic All-American with a 3.99 in mathematics. The Niagara Falls, Ont., native was honored as MAAC Female Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Matijevic was inducted in the Niagara University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
Deanna Dovak, Rider, Softball & Women’s Tennis
Rider Hall of Famer, Rider’s first female All-American, Two-time Rider Athlete of the Year, 4-time All-MAAC, 3-time All-Region, MAAC Player of the Year, ECAC Player of the Year. 9th woman in NCAA Division I history to hit 50 career home runs, finishing with 57, seventh most in NCAA history at that time. Finished first in the nation in home runs in 2001 with 21 and won MAAC Triple Crown (home runs, batting average, RBI) Set Rider records for home runs in a season and in a career, RBI in a season (55) and in a career, total bases in a season, runs scored in a season, doubles in a season (17) and a career, and walks in a season. Also the best female tennis player ever at Rider, playing first singles in the fall.
Jazmine Fenlator, Rider, Outdoor Track and Field
Rider’s first Olympian, placed 11th in the women’s bobsled with partner Lolo Jones in 2014 Olympic Games. 2007 NCAA Regional qualifier in three events, 2007 All-East performer in shot put (third place) and discus (fourth place). Named one of the top 25 performers in the 25-year history of the MAAC 2005-06 Rider Athlete of the Year, Rider’s first woman NCAA Regional Automatic Qualifier (2006). In 8 MAAC Championship Meets (four indoor, four outdoor) three-time Most Outstanding Performer, winning 12 gold, four silver and three bronze medals. 8-Time All-East honors in her career. Set Rider records in both the shot put and the weight throw indoor, and all three outdoor records; the hammer, discus and shot put. All-East Indoors honors in both the shot put and the 20 pound weight throw at the 2006-07 ECAC Championships.
Katelynn Mannix, Siena, Women’s Golf
2007-08 MAAC Rookie of the Year. Program record three-time recipient of the McLeod Trophy for being the MAAC Tournament Individual Champion (2008, 2009, 2011). Led the Saints to MAAC Championships in each of her four seasons. Named MAAC Golfer of the Month a program record six times during her career. Won four individual events – captured the 2008 Dartmouth Invite in addition to her three MAAC Tournament individual titles. Four-time National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar.
Jess Lundgren, Wagner, Water Polo
One of the most successful collegiate water polo players in Wagner College history, Lundgren rewrote the history books in capping off a four-year career with the Seahawks third straight MAAC Championship in 2016. Lundgren was the top playmaker all season long in the conference accumulating a league leading 196 points in 2016. Lundgren topped the MAAC single season goal record, breaking Maggie Wood's record of 119 scores from 2011 as she tallied 146 for the year. The dominant center also lead the conference in steals, swiping 113 which was 40 greater than anyone else in the league. The constant offensive threat from anywhere in the pool also dished out an impressive 59 assists which was second on the Seahawk squad. Became the first player to win consecutive Offensive Player of the Year awards since Amy Olsen of Iona did so in 2013 & 2014. In Wagner women’s water polo history, Lundgren is the all-time leader in goals with 428 and steals with 505 while tied for second in career assists with 237 and exclusions drawn with 277.
Women’s Second Team
(listed alphabetically by school)
Nancy Turnblacer, Loyola, Women’s Tennis
Turnblacer played number 1 singles all 4 years and number 1 & 2 doubles 2 years a piece. She was our team captain for 2 years while leading Loyola to 4 MAAC Team Championships and 4 NCAA tournament bids in her 4 year career along with 2 personal MVP Awards.
Michelle “Mia” Vendlinski, Loyola, Women’s Tennis
Vendlinski was a two-sport athlete as she also scored 867 points as a starting guard on Loyola’s basketball team. She was a four-year letter winner in both tennis and basketball. She competed on our tennis team until October 14th every year and then would begin basketball practice on October 15th each year. Our women’s tennis season was in the fall as was our MAAC Championship, which had six flights of singles and three flights of doubles with the highest total winning the championship. Loyola joined the MAAC in the fall of 1988.
Jennifer Drum, Manhattan, Softball
Drum was named MAAC Player of the Year in 1995 after ranking second nationally in triples and 11th in slugging percentage. She also finished second in the NCAA in triples in both 1992 and 1993. A three-time All-MAAC selection, Drum also earned First Team All-Northeast Region and Academic All-District honors in 1993. In addition, she was a three-time MAAC All-Tournament Team honoree. Drum is Manhattan’s career leader in hits (243), runs scored (173) and triples (36), and she ranks second in program history in batting average (.429), slugging percentage (.700) and total bases (396). Drum also holds the MAAC career records for runs and triples.
Lindsey Diener, Marist, Women’s Lacrosse
Lindsey Diener was one of the top midfielders to play in the Marist women’s lacrosse program. Her 54 goals as a freshman in 2005 are currently the third most ever by a Red Fox while her 75 points and 33 assists as a senior in 2008 put her in second place all time. In her last season she led Marist to its first ever MAAC title when the Red Foxes defeated top seeded Fairfield, 10-9. As a junior in 2007 she contributed to what was Marist’s winningest season at the time, as the Red Foxes had an overall mark of 10-6. She was named to the All-MAAC First Team every year of her career and selected to the MAAC All-Tournament Team in 2005 and 2008. At the end of her senior season, Diener was named the conference’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year ranking third in the league in points (4.06), fifth in goals (2.31) and third in assists (1.75) per game. Diener is currently fifth all-time in program history with 112 draw controls and fourth in ground balls with 124. She ended her career as Marist’s all-time leader in goals (162), assists (82) and points (244) as well as goals (2.49) and points (3.75) per game. Diener is still the program’s all-time leader in goals today. She was named Marist’s Female Sportsperson of the Year in 2008.
Melissa Giordano, Marist, Softball
Melissa Giordano’s name is all over the program’s record books for her outstanding all-around play. Giordano’s career .371 batting average and 50 doubles both remain first in program history, and her 236 career hits are now tied for first all-time. She also holds the program’s single-season records for batting average (.429, 2009) and doubles (19, 2009), and held the single-season record for hits (70, 2008) at the time of her graduation. Giordano was named All-MAAC all four seasons of her career, with three First Team honors. She was an integral part of the program’s first NCAA Regional appearance in 2006, and was named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team in 2008. A standout in the classroom, Giordano was named Third Team Academic All-American as a senior. She was also named First Team All-Region and MAAC Player of the Year in 2009, as she hit .429 with 66 hits, 19 doubles, 42 runs scored, and eight homers in perhaps the greatest offensive season in Marist’s 25 years as a program. Following graduation, Giordano played a professional season in Italy. Giordano returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach for the 2013-14 season, and helped the Red Foxes reach NCAA Regionals in 2013. She is the only person in Marist softball history to win a MAAC championship as a player and coach.
Tionna Garner, Monmouth, Track and Field
Garner has been a staple in the Monmouth record books throughout her career, beginning with a U.S. Junior National qualifier in the 800 during her freshman season. During her sophomore campaign, she earned All-East and All-MAAC honors. In her junior year, Garner won the 800 and anchored the winning 4x800 relay at the MAAC Championships, anchored the winning and school-record setting 4x800 relay team at the ECAC Div. I Championships, running 8:42.93 to earn All-East honors and help the team to the highest finish ever (8th) at this meet. She lowered her own school record in the 800 outdoors from 2:09.17 to 2:06.10 and anchored the 4x800 relay that won the College section of the event at the Penn Relays. The junior broke the 800 indoor school record (2:07.80) and anchored the winning 4x400 relay and finished 2nd in the 400 at the MAAC Indoor Championships. At the ECAC Div. I Indoor Championships, Garner won the 500 with one of the fastest times in the world this year (1:10.31) and anchored the 2nd place 4x800 relay, earning All-East honors in two events. She placed 20th overall during the 800 meter run in the first round of the 2016 Outdoor Track and Field Championships, notching a time of 2:07.57 to set Monmouth's highest-ever finish in the NCAA Championships.
Sophia Dzulynsky, Quinnipiac, Women’s Tennis
Sophia Dzulynsky was one of the most dominant women’s tennis players in the MAAC since Quinnipiac joined the league for the 2013-14 season. She was a two-time MAAC Women’s Tennis Player of the Year, winning the award in 2013-14 and 2015-16, becoming the first Quinnipiac women’s tennis player to achieve the feat. Dzulynsky was also a three-time all-league player in both singles and doubles. She compiled 108 overall wins, going 108-77 with a 37-5 record in the MAAC. She won exactly 36 matches each season, averaging 14 singles wins and 22 doubles wins every year. Dzulynsky’s 108 wins rank 16th in program history while her 66 doubles wins are ninth in program history. Dzulynsky also won three consecutive MAAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships as part of the Bobcats team that is a perfect 29-0 against MAAC Opponents since the 2013-14 season.
Shameal Samuels, Quinnipiac, Outdoor Track and Field
Shameal Samuels has easily established herself as the most illustrious runner Quinnipiac has ever seen. A two-time NCAA East Regional 400m participant in the 2015 and 2016 outdoor season, Samuels became just the second Bobcat in program history to become a two-time NCAA Regional participant and the lone sprinter to make an appearance. In total, Samuels has won 10 MAAC gold medals including six in her indoor career (400m x3, 200m x2, 60m) and four in her outdoor career (200m x2, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay). Named the 2015 MAAC Indoor Most Outstanding Track Performer, Samuels won every sprint event (60m, 200m, 400m) during the 2015 MAAC Championships and later earned her first NCAA Regional appearance during the 2015 outdoor campaign. A gifted sprinter, Samuels hit a new career mark in the 2016 outdoor season as she became the school’s first ever ECAC champion as she won the 400m gold medal with a program record time of 53.35 seconds which stood a full 0.92 seconds faster than the runner-up in the event that fields the best sprinters from over 100 schools across the east coast. Quinnipiac’s 2014-15 Female Athlete of the Year, Samuels’ career achievements also include a two-time New England Indoor 400m Champion (2014-15), the 2014 New England 4x400m Relay Champion, 2015 Valentine Invitational 400m Champion. She stands with the program record in all four sprint events (60m – 7.66, 100m – 11.87, 200m – 24.17, 400m – 53.35) and also holds a piece of three Quinnipiac relay records (4x100m – 46.81, 4x400m – 3:47.66, SMR – 4:01.12). With one more outdoor season to go in her career, Samuels has a chance at becoming the school’s first ever student-athlete to make three NCAA Regional appearances.
Ronnah Parham, Saint Peter’s, Track and Field
Parham won the 55 meter Hurdles Indoors, setting a MAAC Championship record of 8.19. Followed with two wins Outdoors, winning the 100H in a meet record 14.14; and the 400H in 1:01.64.2009-10: Won her second Conference championship in the 100HH. Set Saint Peter's standard of 14.632008-09: Outdoor: Won MAAC title in 400H; ran in NCAA Regionals at Florida State. Member of 4x 400 relay champion at Penn Relays. Took 2nd in 200m at MAACs. Indoor: Placed 2nd in the 200m; 3rd in the 55, and the 55H; member of 1st Place 4 x 400 team. ECAC competitor in 4 x 400.
Jessika-Jo Sandrini, Siena, Softball
Three-time First Team All-MAAC selection – twice at utility (2012, 2013) and once at pitcher (2014). Two-time Second Team All-MAAC selection at pitcher (2012, 2013). 2012 ECAC Second Team All-Star. 2013-14 Siena College Female Student Athlete of the Year. 2014 College Sports Madness MAAC Pitcher of the Year. As a hitter, holds program record for career on-base percentage (.473) and ranks second in average (.357), hits (188), runs (166), doubles (40) and walks (64). As a pitcher, holds program career records for wins (56), complete games (68), shutouts (11) and strikeouts (488) and broke program’s single-season marks in 2012 in wins (20), shutouts (five) and strikeouts (164). Ranked 16th nationally with a .532 on-base percentage as a freshman en route to being named a three-time MAAC Rookie of the Week. Named MAAC Player of the Week four times and MAAC Pitcher of the Week three times during her career. Part of four of the five winningest seasons in program history at the time of her graduation.