MAAC Announces 35th Anniversary Teams For Fall Sports
MAAC Sports
EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference 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 fall sport athletes from the past three and half decades. These 49 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
Alan McGreal, Canisius, Soccer
The program’s all-time leading scorer, Alan McGreal is the only four-time all-conference selection for the Griffs men’s soccer team. He earned first-team accolades in 2007 and 2009, while collecting second-team honors in 2006 and 2008. Also named the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2006, he was a two-time selection to the NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region Team. McGreal owns the program’s record for most career points with 99 – 24 more than the next highest Griff. He also established records for most career goals (35) and career assists (29). Led the MAAC in points or assists four times during his career, highlighted by finishing sixth in the country in assists per game in 2008 and 10th nationally in points per game during the 2007 campaign. He also anchored a team that advanced to the MAAC Semifinals for only the second time in program history in 2007, earning All-Tournament Team accolades.
Michael O’Keeffe, Fairfield, Soccer
Michael O’Keeffe was the MAAC’s premier goalkeeper during his tenure at Fairfield, earning a First Team All-MAAC slot in each of his four seasons from 2009-12. Also, the 2011 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, he ranks fourth all-time at Fairfield with a 1.11 goals-against average and second in program annals with 19 career shutouts.
He helped lead Fairfield to the 2011 MAAC Championship, earning a slot on the MAAC All-Tournament Team as the Stags won the conference crown.
In addition to his dominance on Lessing Field, O’Keeffe represented his home nation of New Zealand in the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2012 OFC Nations Cup.
Richard Kiplagat, Iona, Cross Country
Richard Kiplagat '06 is one of the most decorated cross country / track & field performers and student‐athletes in Iona College history. He earned 10 All‐American honors during his tenure including three cross country, five on the indoor track and three on the outdoor track. Kiplagat’s running prowess was displayed from his first MAAC Cross Country Championship appearance in 2002 – where he ran a MAAC record and the second fastest 8k time in school history at Van Cortlandt Park – to his final race in 2006 and his 10th All‐American performance as a third place finisher at the NCAA Outdoor Championship 5,000‐meter event.
In between, Kiplagat became the first three‐time cross country All‐American at Iona, finishing 15th as a freshman, 20th as a sophomore and second as senior at the 2005 NCAA Cross Country Championship, the highest finish in school history. He broke the school record 8k mark at Van Cortlandt Park in his senior year debut. Kiplagat’s Meet of Champions time of 23:54.4 also stands as the fourth fastest time in the historical venue’s course history.
On the indoor track, Kiplagat finished fourth in the NCAA Championship 5k in 2003 and improved to third in 2004. As a junior, he tackled the 3,000‐meter event and finished fourth overall. As a senior in 2006, he won two All‐American honors by finishing fourth again in the 3k and second in the 5k at the University of Arkansas. Kiplagat was also the first‐ever Iona harrier to run a sub‐four minute mile with his time of 3:57.40 at the 2006 NYC Gotham Cup.
Outdoors, his All‐American honors came as a freshman and senior. In 2003, he showed his versatility in the middle‐distance events by finishing seventh overall in the NCAA Championship 1,500‐meter event. In his last career event at Iona, he finished third in the NCAA 5k event.
Kiplagat won all nine career MAAC Championship events he participated in and was a six‐time IC4A Champion. Upon graduation, he held Iona records in the indoor mile, 3k and 5k and outdoor 5k events. He is a two‐time MAAC Student‐Athlete of the Year.
Sean Lynch, Manhattan, Cross Country
Lynch became the first Jasper since 1982 to qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championships with a third-place finish at the 1997 NCAA Northeast Regional. He went on to post a time of 31:33 at the NCAA Championships in Greenville, SC. Lynch also won the individual title at both the MAAC Championships (25:20.9) and IC4A Championships University Division (25:18.6) in 1997. In 1996, he took third at the Metropolitan Championships and MAAC Championships, and he was eighth at the 1994 MAAC Championships. Lynch earned a place on the MAAC All-Academic Team numerous times, as well.
J.J. Allen, Marist, Football
J.J. Allen was a standout running back for the Marist football team in its days in the MAAC Football League. Allen played his freshman season at Howard University before transferring to Marist. He ran for 3,015 yards and scored 41 touchdowns in his three season as a Red Fox. He remains the only player in program history to average 100 rushing yards per game, and his career touchdown total stood as a program record for 10 years. In 1998, his totals for carries (278), rushing yards (1,623), touchdowns (21) and points (126) remain single-season records. Marist amassed a 20-10 record in his three seasons.
After a valiant battle with cancer, Allen passed away on New Year’s Eve of 2003 at the age of 28. He was referred to by head coach Jim Parady as “the best we ever had, as a person and a player.”
Keith Detelj, Marist, Soccer
Keith Detelj is perhaps the finest two-sport athlete in Marist history. In soccer, he holds the program’s records for goals and points since it went Division I in 1981. Detelj was a two-time MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player who led the Red Foxes to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances in program 2004 and 2005. In those two seasons, Detelj was also named First Team All-MAAC. He earned All-MAAC honors all four years of his career, as he was named Second Team All-MAAC and to the MAAC All-Rookie Team in 2003, and was a Second Team All-MAAC selection in 2006. At the 2007 Marist Athletics Department Senior Awards Banquet, Detelj shared Male Sportsperson of the Year honors with men’s basketball standout Jared Jordan, who led the nation in assists as a junior and senior.
Detelj was also a lacrosse standout who was named MAAC Tournament MVP when Marist made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005.
Carl Haworth, Niagara, Soccer
Carl Haworth was the most dominant offensive player for the Purple Eagles men’s soccer program since Niagara joined the MAAC. Haworth, who wore the Purple and White from 2008 to 2011, compiled 35 goals and 21 assists for 91 points in his four seasons at Niagara. He ranks second all-time at Niagara in career goals and points, trailing only Joe Casucci (1969-72). Haworth tallied nine goals and four assists as a freshman in 2008, leading to MAAC Rookie of the Year honors. The Barrie, Ontario native earned First Team All-MAAC status for the first time in 2010, leading into a stellar senior season which began with the 2011 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year honor. With 12 goals and eight assists for 32 points in 2011, Haworth was First Team All-MAAC in addition to the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, and he also received ECAC Division I Men’s Soccer All Star honors, as well as a nomination to the NSCAA All-North Atlantic Region First Team. In addition to these accolades on the field, Haworth was a three-time MAAC All-Academic honoree, making the team in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Craig Wicken, Rider, Soccer
Craig Wicken led Rider to two MAAC Titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in his junior and senior years when he scored a Rider-record 18 goals each season. Rider was 28-14-2 those 2 years and during his junior year, the team was ranked 15th in the nation in 1997. Wicken holds career records at Rider for goals and points (45) and he holds single season record for goals and points when he led entire Mid-Atlantic Region and MAAC in scoring. Wicken is a Rider Hall of Famer and helped Rider to win at Loyola for the MAAC Title and a win at Dayton in NCAA play-in.
Juan Gaviria, Saint Peter’s, Soccer
Gaviria is the only player since Saint Peter’s joined the league to register over 100 points in his career, registering 44 goals and 17 assists for 105 points on 252 shots while posting a program record 16 game-winners. A three-time All-MAAC first-team selection, he posted 15 goals and three assists for 33 points to earn MAAC Player of the Year honors The 15 goals are the third-most in program history, which tops his 14 goals he scored as a sophomore. Saint Peter’s finished 41-29-12 overall and 20-15-5 in MAAC play and participated in two MAAC Championship games. Gaviria is the program’s all-time leader in shots while ranking second in team history in goals and points and seventh in assists. Gaviria was a member of the 2007 team that became the first MAAC team to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
James Beeston, Siena, Soccer
James Beeston is the only two-time First Team All-MAAC selection in program history (2012, 2013). Beeston is the program’s all-time leader with 29 assists, which ranks fifth all-time in MAAC history, while also ranking seventh in program history with 51 career points. He was a three-time team captain and was a member of two of the four winningest seasons in program history. A 2013 First Team All-MAAC and NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I All-North Atlantic Region Second Team selection ranked second in the MAAC in assists (eight) and tied for fourth in scoring (20). As well as, a 2012 First Team All-MAAC, MAAC All-Tournament and NSCAA North Atlantic Third Team All-Region selection led the MAAC with eight assists. Beeston was a 2010 Siena College Male Rookie of the Year and MAAC All-Rookie Team selection tied for both the team and MAAC lead with a program record tying nine assists which ranked tied for 19th nationally and his 17 points were good for 10th in the MAAC.
Beeston graduated with a 3.66 cumulative GPA while majoring in English and minoring in business and was named to either the Siena College President’s or Dean’s List in all eight collegiate semesters. Named to the MAAC All-Academic Team and Academic Honor Roll in each year of eligibility.
In 2013 was named one of just 30 candidates nationally for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award in addition to being tabbed an NSCAA Scholar All-American and All-Region selection, while also becoming the program’s first-ever Capital One Academic All-American (Second Team) and First Team All-District selection. Also, he was a 2012 NSCAA Second Team Scholar All-American and Scholar All-East Region and played professionally in 2014 for the Western Mass Pioneers of the American Soccer League.
Milos Kocic, Loyola, Men’s Soccer
Along with Tennant McVea, both Kocic and McVea became the program’s 10th and 11th All-Americans. Kocic was a two-time All-MAAC First Team honoree (’07, ’08), leading Loyola to a 2007 MAAC title, where he was named Tournament MVP. Kocic tied Zach Thornton’s school record from 1993, recording 17 shutouts in 2007 and at 974:20, he set school and NCAA Division I record for consecutive shutout minutes. Concluding his career with a 37-7-2 record and a 17-1-0 mark in MAAC play, Kocic was drafted in the 2nd round (21st overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by DC United.
Tennant McVea, Loyola, Men’s Soccer
Tennant McVea and Kocic both became 10th and 11th All-Americans in school history in 2007. McVea was the first player since 1993 to be named an NSCAA First Team All-American and is the lone player in MAAC history to earn three player of the year honors, being tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior. McVea was a four-time All-MAAC honoree, including three first-team appearances. McVea helped Loyola two a pair of MAAC Titles (’07, ’09) and was a three-time MAAC All-Tournament team selection, including earning Tournament MVP in 2009.
Women’s First Team
Kelly Reinwald, Canisius, Soccer
A four-time All-MAAC First Team member, Kelly Reinwald holds school records for most career points (107) and career assists (35), while her 12 assists in 2010 are a Canisius single season record. The Stafford, Va. native was named 2010 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, totaling 34 points on 11 goals and 12 assists, including three game winning goals. During her four year career she was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team (2008), the Northeast Region Third Team (2008, 2010), the Capital One Academic All-America District One First Team (2010, 2011) and was a member of the MAAC All-Academic Team from 2009-2011.
Joanne Saunders, Fairfield, Volleyball
Joanne Saunders is Fairfield’s all-time leader in kills with 1,799 – ranking second in program history with 4.06 finishers per frame. She patrolled the court for the Stag from 1998-2001, amassing a program-best 4,253 swings en route to a .252 hitting percentage while appearing in 443 sets over 132 matches at Fairfield. Defensively, Saunders racked up 1,254 digs (10th all-time) to stand as one of just six Stags with over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career – and one of only three to eclipse the 1,200 mark in both categories.
Saunders was lauded for her efforts as a First Team All-MAAC selection in three consecutive seasons from 1999-2001. She was the Most Valuable Player of the 2000 MAAC Championship as a part of three straight MAAC All-Championship honors (1998-2000) and was named AVCA All-Region in 2000 – making her the most recent (and perhaps only) MAAC player to earn the distinction.
Saunders’ dominance translated into team success as she was a starter for four MAAC Championship and NCAA postseason teams. The Stags went 120-26 overall and 35-1 in MAAC play with Saunders on the court. The 2000 club made MAAC history as the first – and still just one of two – conference teams to take a set in the NCAA postseason.
Kate Avery, Iona, Cross Country
Kate Avery was one of two, two‐time MAAC Female Student‐Athlete of the Year honorees in conference history, earning the award as a sophomore and junior in 2013‐14 and 2014‐15. She is the only female winner of the award in Iona history.
As a junior, Avery was the 2014 NCAA Cross Country champion, becoming the first female in Iona history to win a national championship. As a result of the win, Avery earned the prestigious Honda Sports Award, presented annually by the Collegiate Women Sports Association to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA‐sanctioned sports.
Avery's 2014‐15 season accolades included: two All‐American honors (cross country, outdoor track 5k), the MAAC Cross Country Championship Most Outstanding Performer, NCAA Northeast Regional Athlete of the Year (cross country), two MAAC championships (cross country, indoor track mile), and being named the 2014 USTFCCA Division I Scholar Athlete of the Year. She also set three Iona track records during the season (indoor 3k, outdoor 5k, and outdoor 10k) and led the Gaels as a team to a MAAC Cross Country title, an NCAA Northeast Regional title, and a ninth place finish at the NCAA Championship. Internationally, she finished second at the 2014 European Cross Country Championship in Samokov, Bulgaria, 13th at the European Indoor Championships in the 3,000‐meter event in Prague, Czech Republic, and her outdoor track 10k time of 31:41.44 made her the first Iona female to finish the event in under 32 minutes and qualified her for the 2015 World Championships in China and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janerio, Brazil.
For her career, Avery was a five‐time All‐American (cross country in 2013 and 2014, indoor track 3k in 2014, and outdoor track 5k in 2014 and 2015), three‐time MAAC Championship Most Outstanding Performer (cross country in 2013 and 2014, and indoor track in 2014), and a five‐time MAAC champion (cross country in 2013 and 2014, indoor track mile in 2014 and 2015, and indoor track 3k in 2014). Academically, Avery held a 3.50 grade point average while majoring in marketing. She is a six‐time MAAC All‐Academic selection, a two‐time member of the USTFCCA All‐Academic Cross Country Team, and a two‐time All‐Academic Track and Field individual honor recipient.
Luka Van Cauteren, Manhattan, Volleyball
Van Cauteren was named both MAAC Player of the Year and MAAC Tournament MVP in 2002 and again in 2003, as the Jaspers captured back-to-back MAAC Championships. She had 16 kills, 15 assists and nine digs against Saint Peter’s in the 2002 MAAC Championship Match, as Manhattan claimed its first conference title, then recorded a triple-double (15 kills, 21 digs, 11 assists) against the Peacocks in the 2003 MAAC Championship Match. Van Cauteren set program records with 610 kills and 4.84 kills per set that season. The only player in program history with 1,000 kills and 1,000 assists, she’s also second in program history with a career hitting percentage of .310, and her 32 career triple-doubles are a school record. Van Cauteren was twice named All-Region by the AVCA, and she earned places on both the MAAC All-Academic Team and Academic All-District Team in 2003.
Mackenzie Stephens, Marist, Volleyball
Mackenzie Stephens helped lift Marist volleyball to its highest level to date in program history. The 2013 MAAC Player of the Year, Stephens helped the Red Foxes earn a share of their first MAAC regular-season championship that season, and then lifted Marist to its first outright MAAC regular-season title in 2014. In both seasons, the Red Foxes advanced to the final of the MAAC Championships. A two-time First Team All-MAAC selection, Stephens earned four weekly awards from the MAAC and two from the ECAC in her career. She also earned three All-Tournament Team honors (two in-season tournaments and the 2013 MAAC Championships), and earned MVP honors in the 2013 Volley in the Valley Tournament. Despite missing the last 17 matches of her freshman year due to injury, Stephens ranks second in program history in career blocks, and seventh in career kills. She also has three of the top nine highest single-season block totals in program history.
Trish O’Dwyer, Monmouth, Field Hockey
Trish O’Dwyer, Monmouth’s first All-American honoree, graduated as the program’s all-time points (143) and assists (37) leader, while landing second all-time in goals (53). A four-time all-conference player, O’Dwyer was tabbed to the NFHCA All-Mid-Atlantic team on two occasions, including becoming the second player in MU’s annuals to be listed on the First Team. O’Dwyer helped guide Monmouth to its first Regular Season Championship following a 15-year drought and led the Hawks to the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014. The Ireland native, who played two full years in the midfield, is the second player in program history to reach the 50-goal plateau and eclipse 100 points, while becoming the first player to reach 30 career assists. She recorded three career hat tricks and four seven-point outings. In two years in the MAAC, O’Dwyer compiled 30 goals, 22 assists good for 82 points over 38 games. She was a two-time All-MAAC First Team member and was tabbed the 2014 MAAC Offensive Player and Player of the Year, while earning a spot on the All-MAAC Championship Team.
Hannah Hedrick, Niagara, Volleyball
In her four-year volleyball career on Monteagle Ridge, Hannah Hedrick had an incredibly decorated career. She helped the Purple Eagles to three consecutive MAAC Tournament championships and NCAA tournament berths from 2009 to 2011, while the team captured MAAC regular-season titles in 2010 and 2011. The outside hitter led Niagara in kills each of her four seasons on the team, leading to a career total of 1,580 kills which ranks second in Niagara program history. Hedrick’s 472 kills in 2009 are the second-most in an individual season for a Purple Eagle. Hedrick was a three-time All-MAAC First team recipient, a two-time MAAC All-Tournament team and two-time MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player honoree, and was MAAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and 2011. The communications major also made the MAAC All-Academic Team three times, each year from 2009 to 2011.
Tami Coyle, Rider, Soccer
Tami Coyle was ranked 15th in the nation with 17 goals in 19 games as a junior at Rider. She scored 14 goals as a senior to finish second in the program in career goals (by one goal) and career points (by one point), while also ranking fifth in career assists. Rider saw success under her leadership and the program was 23-14-4 her junior and senior seasons when she scored 31 goals.
Valentina Zaharieva, Saint Peter’s, Volleyball
Valentina Zaharieva is the program’s all-time leader in kills, attack percentage and blocks helping the Peacocks (then Peahens) to a 20-win season in her senior campaign to earn her the MAAC Player of the Year and All-MAAC first-team selection in 2001. She was also named MAAC Player of the Week four times that season. She became the second player in program history to post 1000 kills and 1000 digs. The Peacocks went 75-35 overall and 33-3 in league play in her four seasons, including helping the team to the MAAC regular season title in 2001 for the program’s only taste of a MAAC title.
Burgandy McCurty, Siena, Volleyball
Burgandy McCurty was a three-time MAAC Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2008 and 2009) and two-time Siena College Female Athlete of the Year. Still remaining as the MAAC’s all-time kills leader (1,945 career kills), McCurty is also Siena’s all-time leader in kills (1,945), kills per set (4.27), and attack percentage (.353). McCurty is fourth all-time in blocks (389), she is a 13-time MAAC Offensive Player of the Week, 2006 MAAC Rookie of the Year, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 MAAC First Team selection. She led Siena to a MAAC Championship and NCAA appearance in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and was named one of 15 “Rising Stars” by Collegiate Volleyball Update after her rookie season. Ranked sixth nationally and second all-time in MAAC history with .427 attack percentage as a sophomore, her 561 kills as a junior are second most in program history and fourth most in MAAC history. Ending her senior season ranked second nationally with school and MAAC record 5.37 kills per set, McCurty’s 575 kills as a senior are most in program history and third most in MAAC history. McCurty was a 2010 Siena College Academic Excellence and Achievement Award Recipient, as well as a 2009 MAAC All-Academic Team selection and 2010 MAAC Honor Roll honoree (graduated with 3.36 GPA in accounting).
Nichole Schiro, Loyola, Women's Soccer
Schiro became the first player in conference history to be named MAAC Offensive Player of the Year for three-consecutive seasons. She was named to NSCAA University Division I Scholar All-America team and Capital One Academic All-America First Team in 2012. Schiro rewrote the Loyola’s school records, setting career marks for goals (52) and points (119) and helped Loyola win a pair of MAAC titles. Played all 86 career games, starting 80, while leading the team in goals and points in all four seasons and led the MAAC in goals (8) and points (20) as a senior.
Theresa Sobiesk, Army, Cross Country
Eight-time All-American Teresa Sobiesk is the most decorated female runner in West Point history. She set numerous records that still stand to this day, won a Division II national title and qualified for the Olympic Trials prior to her graduation in 1989. The holder of Academy records in the 5,000 meters, the 3,000 meters and the 10,000 meters, Sobiesk was crowned the 1988 NCAA Division II national champion in the 10,000 meters and went on to earn Division I All-America honors.
Men’s Second Team
Frank Zabawa, Canisius, Football
Former Canisius defensive end Frank Zabawa played for the Golden Griffins from 1992-96. After recording 52 tackles as a freshman, including two sacks and seven stops for a loss, he ended up missing most of the 1993 season with a knee injury. He returned to the Griffs’ defensive front in 1994, where he posted 52 tackles and six quarterback sacks. A two-time All-MAAC First Team and All-ECAC First-Team honoree, he was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1996. In his final two seasons in Blue and Gold, he was credited with 135 tackles, 18 quarterback sacks, nine pass break-ups and four forced fumbles. A member of the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame, Zabawa ended his career ranked second all-time in career sacks with 27, and his 12 sacks in 1996 is the program’s single-season record.
Jim McElderry, Fairfield, Soccer
The 1992 MAAC Player of the Year, Jim McElderry remains among the Stags’ all-time leaders in goals (17) and total points (43) more than 20 years after he last took the pitch at Fairfield. His offensive statistics become more impressive when it’s noted that he spent part of his career as a member of the Stags’ defensive unit. He was a two-time First Team All-MAAC selection in 1991 and 1992 and earned a spot on the 1991 MAAC All-Tournament Team.
McElderry led the Stags to three consecutive MAAC postseason appearances, including trips to the MAAC Championship Match in both 1991 and 1992.
Mitch Goose, Iona, Cross Country
Mitch Goose '13 was one of two, two‐time MAAC Male Student‐Athletes of the Year in school history. He earned the award in 2011‐12 and 2012‐13.
Goose, a 2013 Iona graduate from Norwich, England, was a four‐time All‐American (2011 and 2012 cross country, 2012 indoor 3k, and 2012 outdoor 5k). During the 2012‐13 season, he led the Gaels to the 2012 MAAC Cross Country Championship, earned the individual championship and Most Outstanding Performer honors. Goose was also the individual champion and Regional Athlete of the Year at the NCAA Northeast Regional event as the Maroon & Gold won its eighth team championship and its first since 2008. Completing a successful fall campaign, Goose All‐American with a 23rd place finish at the NCAA Championship.
After missing the winter indoor track campaign with an injury, Goose rebounded in the spring and was the 2013 MAAC Outdoor Track champion in the 1500‐meter event. He ran the fourth fastest 5k time in Iona history at 3:46.81 to qualify for the NCAA East preliminary where he finished fourth to advance to the NCAA final in Eugene, OR.
In his career, Goose was a five‐time MAAC track champion, winning all five events he competed in both the indoor and outdoor championships. Prior to his final season, he finished second and third in the previous two MAAC Cross Country Championships.
Academically, Goose is a three‐time member of the USTFCCCA All‐Academic Team (2010, 2011, and 2012) and a six‐time selection to the MAAC All‐Academic Team, he graduated Iona's School of Arts and Science with a 3.91 grade point average while earning a master's degree in history.
Matt Spring, Manhattan, Cross Country
Spring was named Most Outstanding Performer at the 2001 MAAC Cross Country Championships after winning the individual crown with a time of 25:21.86. That season, Manhattan tied Iona for the team title, marking the only time since 1991 that the Gaels didn’t win the championship outright. He added individual titles at the Metropolitan and IC4A Championships, and finished 10th at the NCAA Northeast Regional in 2001. After earning Most Outstanding Performer for Track Events honors at the 2002 MAAC Outdoor Championships, he finished third at the 2002 MAAC Cross Country Championships before making the final in the 5000 meters at the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Spring was also a multiple-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection.
Eric Klenofsky, Monmouth, Soccer
Through three years, Klenofsky is a two-time NCAA Division I Statistical Champion in goals-against average, a three-time All-MAAC selection, the 2015 MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, the 2015 Preseason MAAC Player of the Year and earned 2015 NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team honors. Klenofsky’s 31 career victories in net are already second all-time in the MAAC, just seven behind the all-time leader. He’s also posted 28 career shutouts, while he’s the MAAC’s all-time single-season record holder in goals-against average (0.22 in 2013) and save percentage (.914 in 2013). His 0.48 goals-against average and .880 save percentage in 2014 rank fourth and fifth, respectively, on the MAAC all-time single-season leaderboard. Klenofsky is a nine-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Week. For his career, he’s posted a 0.62 goals-against average and a .843 save percentage. He guided Monmouth to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2014 and MAAC Championship Finals appearances in all of his three seasons.
Matt Jeffery, Monmouth, Soccer
Jeffery was a two-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, three-time NSCAA All-Region selection and two-time All-ECAC honoree. He also nominated for the Soccer News Net College Boot and was drafted in the Fourth Round of the MLS SuperDraft (78th overall) by the Colorado Rapids. He was named a 2014 Preseason All-American by College Soccer News and was listed as one of the Top 100 players in the nation at midseason of his season year by Top Drawer Soccer. Jeffery was also named a Top 25 prospect for the MLS SuperDraft by College Soccer News. He earned All-MAAC Championship Team recognition twice after helping the Hawks to the MAAC Championship Final in Monmouth’s first two years in the league, including a victory in 2014. He played a pivotal role in the Hawks’ defense’s 2014 NCAA Division I Statistical Championships in goals-against average (0.48) and save percentage (.883) a year after helping the Monmouth defense hold opponents to a 0.80 goals-against average overall and MAAC foes to just a 0.25 goals-against average.
Borja Angoitia, Quinnipiac, Men's Soccer
Borja Angoitia was a two-time MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year and two-time All-MAAC First Team selection in Quinnipiac’s first two seasons in the MAAC. Angoitia earned his first honor after leading the Bobcats to the 2013 MAAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships with a 7-4-7 record with eight shutouts and a 0.70 goals-against average. In 2014, Angoitia was 8-4-5 with nine shutouts and a 0.69 GA. Angoitia also earned All-Region honors in both seasons. In two seasons of MAAC competition, Angoitia was 15-8-12 overall and 14-1-5 in conference play with 17 shutouts, while allowing just 27 goals in 36 games played. In four seasons, including two seasons in the Northeast Conference, Angoitia accumulated a program record 32 wins and 25 shutouts.
John Fiutowski, Niagara, Soccer
John Fiutowski rewrote the record books with many of his goaltending totals as a member of the Purple Eagles men’s soccer program from 2006 to 2009. Fiutowski set the Niagara program records for career starts (64), wins (27), and minutes played (5,947) in his time on Monteagle Ridge, and he ranks second with 12 shutouts. Fiutowski was named to the 2006 MAAC All-Rookie Team, posting a 6-4-4 record along with a 1.30 goals-against average, a .778 save percentage, and two shutouts. Fiutowski posted his best statistical season in 2008, finishing with career-bests in goals-against average (1.22), save percentage (.843), wins (nine), and shutouts (five). Fiutowski followed that up with a senior season in which he recorded the most minutes played in a season for any NU goaltender (1,890) and recorded the second-most saves in a season in program history (127). A marketing major at Niagara, Fiutowski was also a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team member, receiving the honor in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Keith Richardson, Rider, Soccer
Richardson ranked 9th in the nation and first in Mid-Atlantic Region and MAAC with 0.78 goals against average as a sophomore, his first season at Rider, setting a Rider record with 7 shutouts, helping Rider win the 1997 MAAC Title. In ’98 had 6 more shutouts, including one over 25th ranked Fairfield in MAAC title Game. Despite playing less than 3 full seasons ranks second at Rider in career wins and shutouts. The Rider Hall of Famer won two NCAA play-in games and held SMU to one goal in ’97 NCAA tournament.
Rinaldo Chambers, Saint Peter’s, Soccer
Chambers posted 34 goals and 22 assists for 90 points in three seasons in a Saint Peter’s men’s soccer uniform, but he will probably be remembered for his exploits in the 2003 postseason. The 2003 MAAC Tournament MVP scored both goals in a 2-0 win against Brown in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and then added a goal against Michigan in the second round. Chambers was named to the All-MAAC first team in 2002 and 2003 and ranks second in program history in assists, fourth in points, sixth in goals and third in game-winning goals (8). He was inducted Into the Saint Peter’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and the 2003 men’s soccer team was enshrined in 2009.
Sindre Ek, Siena, Soccer
In 2012, Sindre Ek was not only the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, but also was on First Team All-MAAC and was a NSCAA First Team All-North Atlantic Region selection. Ek was a two-time Second Team All-MAAC selection (2010, 2011) and 2009 MAAC All-Rookie Team honoree. The program’s all-time career (eight) and single-season (four in 2012) leader in game-winning goals, Ek aslo ranks tied for third in program history in goals (22) and tied for fifth in scoring (54). Tied for the MAAC lead in both scoring (29) and game-winning goals (four) in 2012, while ranking second in goals (12), Ek also was ranked eighth nationally averaging 1.71 points per game and 12th in goals per game (0.71) in 2012. Ek is a member of second winningest class in program history (33) and part of two of the four winningest seasons in program history.
Zach Thornton, Loyola, Soccer
Loyola’s first first-team All-American since 1978 and the program’s first NCAA Division I first-team All-American, Thornton was one of six two-time All-Americans in program history. Thornton led the nation in shutouts (14) and goals-against average (0.75) in 1994 and led Loyola to a 15-5-2 record and its sixth-straight MAAC title as a senior in 1994. Thornton set a school record with 10-straight shutouts in two separate seasons. Also, he set the school record for shutouts in a season (17) in 1993 and in his career, he posted 31 shutouts in 43 matches. Drafted in the 7th round (69th overall) by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft, he concluded MLS career as a two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, six-time MLS All-Star and one MLS Cup (’98). As a two sport athlete, Thornton was also an All-American midfielder for the Greyhounds’ lacrosse team.
John Shannon, Fordham, Soccer
With remarkable agility and scoring talent, Jack Shannon finished his collegiate career as one of Fordham's most prolific scorers. A MAAC and Tri-State All-Star, Shannon finished the 1982 season with 19 goals and 7 assts for 45 points. In teaming with fellow senior captain Mark Lugris, Shannon helped lead coach Frank Schnur's Rams to an 11-2-3 record and both the MAAC and Tri-State league championship. Following his senior season, Shannon was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and played for the North American Soccer league for two seasons.
Women’s Second Team
Heather Whalen, Canisius, Cross Country
A two-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference individual champion and winner of the 1990 National Catholic cross country meet at Notre Dame, Heather Whalen is the most decorated women's cross country and track runner in Canisius College history. She won the individual titles at the MAAC Championship in 1989 and 1990, while helping the Griffs to their first two MAAC Championships in any sport during the 1990 and 1991 seasons. A four-year letter winner in cross-country and three-year winner in track, Whalen set a course and meet record in claiming the 1990 All-Catholic meet. She won 10 meets during her cross country career.
Ahna Johnson, Fairfield, Soccer
Arguably the best player in Fairfield’s program history, Ahna Johnson helped to elevate the Fairfield women’s soccer program back to its place as a consistent MAAC power, winning the two most recently conference titles in program history.
Johnson’s best campaign came during her senior season when she led the Stags to the 2008 MAAC title by scoring a hat trick in the Championship game against Loyola, en route to her clear selection as the tournament’s MVP. During that campaign, the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year tallied 15 goals which still ranks third in program history. She would also become the program’s first and thus far only All-American during that season as she led the team to a 15-5-3 overall record.
Johnson’s true strengths, however, came off the pitch where she earned a 3.95 GPA entering her senior season as a double major in Physics and Information Systems. She was the MAAC’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year and was a Finalist for the Lowe’s Senior Class award. She also was the first-ever Stag to be named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team.
Heidi Gregson, Iona, Cross Country
Heidi Gregson was one of the most decorated female student‐athletes in Iona College history. She helped lead the Iona cross country team to three straight MAAC Championships, earning an individual title in 2010 and runner up in 2011.
Gregson earned 10 additional MAAC Championships on the indoor and outdoor track including: the indoor 800‐meter and distance medley relay in 2009 and 2010, the indoor mile in 2011 and 2012, three straight outdoor 800‐meter titles from 2009‐2011 and the outdoor 1,500‐meter in 2010. She was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the 2009 and 2011 MAAC Indoor Track Championship and 2010 MAAC Outdoor Track Championship. She holds the Iona College record the indoor 800‐meter and mile and outdoor mile and 1,500‐meter events and the MAAC Championship record in the indoor mile.
Gregson was a three‐time NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships performer from 2009‐2011 while also competing in the 2010 NCAA indoor Mile. Gregson was an eight‐time MAAC All‐Academic and four‐time USTFCCCA All‐Academic selection during her time at Iona.
Margaret McParland, Manhattan, Cross Country
Margaret McParland led Manhattan to three MAAC Championships (1993, 1994, 1996). Individually, she won a pair of MAAC titles, taking the crown in both 1994 (19:27) and 1995 (18:52). McParland then took second at the 1996 MAAC Championships (19:08). She also picked up individual wins at the Metropolitan Championships and ECAC Championships University Division in 1995. Her personal-best time of 18:13.5, set at the 1993 ECAC Championships, still ranks as the fifth-fastest in Manhattan history. In addition, she was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team for cross country three times.
Michelle Gaye, Marist, Cross Country
Michelle Gaye is the most decorated runner in school history. She became the first runner in school history to earn four top-10 finishes at the MAAC Championships, with finishes of sixth, seventh, seventh and seventh. In 2014, she became the first female runner in school history to claim an individual ECAC Championship. That was one of three years she claimed All-ECAC honors, which she previously accomplished in 2011 and 2012. Gaye was also named MAAC Runner of the Week twice in her career.
Gaye also enjoyed success in both indoor and outdoor track & field. In addition to being a multiple school record holder, she became the first female athlete in school history to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Regional Championships (5,000 meters).
Alexis McTamney, Monmouth, Soccer
Junior Alexis McTamney, one of nine Hawks in the history of the program to be named first team all-conference three times, ranks 13th in program history with 66 career points in her first three years in the Blue & White. The forward, who has 25 goals and 16 assists, ranks 11th all-time with her career goal number and has led the Hawks to three straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships, a league tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. McTamney has been named First Team All-MAAC all three seasons and has won two major awards (2013 Rookie of the Year, 2015 Offensive Player of the Year). The forward has appeared in all 58 games of her career, earning 56 starting assignments, and has logged 4,165 career minutes played. McTamney, who has accounted for 11 game-winning goals in her career, has had a hand in 41 goals in three years, which is over a third of all of Monmouth’s scores during its 44 wins over that span.
Rosie Luzak, Niagara, Soccer
A four-time First Team All-MAAC honoree, Rosie Luzak was the most prolific scorer in the history of Niagara women’s soccer. Luzak’s career was highlighted by a phenomenal 2002 season in which she led the MAAC in goals (25), assists (7), points (57), shots (109), and game-winning goals (five). Her 2002 averages in goals per game (1.39) and points per game (3.00) led the NCAA, just a year after her average of 1.12 goals per game in 2001 ranked second in the nation. Luzak is the Niagara record holder for most career goals with 69 and points with 157. Additionally, Luzak holds the MAAC single-season records for points, points per game, goals, and goals per game, all set in her historic 2002 season.
Niamh Ashe, Quinnipiac, Cross Country
Niamh Ashe has been the leading runner for Quinnipiac since she first stepped foot on campus back in 2013. Through her three-year career, Ashe has racked up three straight All-MAAC performances and two All-New England marks as well as five career Top 5 finishes and eight career Top 10s. Her biggest accomplishment came this past season as she led Quinnipiac in dethroning the 10-time defending MAAC Champions Iona. Ashe took 2nd place out of 159 runners with a time of 21:16.74. Not only did Ashe extend her streak to 15th straight appearances in which she has finished as the fastest Bobcat, she earned her third straight All-MAAC honor and her highest career finish at the MAAC Championships (previous best of 3rd in 2013). In the process, Ashe became the Bobcat in program history to earn All-Conference honors in each of her first three seasons at Quinnipiac. Ashe's 2nd place finish was also the highest for a Bobcat at a conference championship since Becca White '13 won the 2011 NEC Championship. Ashe will push next season to try and join Kristen Stevens '10 as the only Bobcats in program history to earn four All-Conference honors.
Jess Rusin, Quinnipiac, Field Hockey
Jess Rusin led to Quinnipiac to the first field hockey regular-season and tournament championships in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Field Hockey history. The all-time leader in goals (40) and points (94) Rusin set program records for goals (17) and points (39) in a single season in leading the Bobcats to the most successful year in program history. Rusin earned MAAC Offensive Player of the Year honors, as well as MAAC Co-Player of the Year and First Team recognition. Since MAAC began sponsoring field hockey in 2013, Rusin’s 39 points that season rank third in MAAC Field Hockey history while her 17 goals and 0.81 goals-per-game average also rank second.
Sarah Artale, Rider, Soccer
As Rider’s career scoring leader, Artale ranks first in goals and points, also in top 10 in assists. Artale scored a Rider-record 16 goals in 2002 and five game-winning goals, while in 2001 and 2003 she led Rider to MAAC Title Games.
Nicole Tracey, Saint Peter’s, Soccer
Tracey will go down as the best women’s soccer player in program history after finishing as the all-time leader in goals (55), points (139) and game-winners (21). She posted double-digit goal seasons all-four years of her career, registered at least 29 points in all four campaigns and was named the MAAC Player of the Year in 1996 after posting a team-record 18 goals and seven assists for 43 points. The Peacocks (then Peahens) went 44-30-4 overall and 19-11 in league play during her four seasons to enjoy the greatest success in program history during that stretch, including its only regular season title in 1996.
April London, Siena, Volleyball
A four-time MAAC Champion (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008), April London had 5,356 career assists which is far and away the most in program history (2nd place – Melanie Buchanan ’93 – 3,195). She also ranks first all-time in assists per set (11.21), service aces (221), matches played (132) and sets played (478) and is fourth in attack percentage (.295). In 2008, London was a CoSIDA District I Academic All-American, the MAAC Setter of the Year, MAAC First Team and MAAC All-Tournament Team. London was also on the 2006 MAAC Second Team, she was the 2005 MAAC Rookie of the Year (Seven-time MAAC Rookie of the Week) and 2005 MAAC co-Setter of the Year. In 2007, her 12.7 assists per game are the most in a season in MAAC history and her .295 career attack percentage is fourth highest in program history. She ranks 12th all-time with 987 career digs and 13th with 219 career blocks. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, she was on the MAAC All-Academic Team and was a MAAC Honor Roll Selection and graduated suma cum laude in marketing.
Men’s First Team
Alan McGreal, Canisius, Soccer
Michael O’Keeffe, Fairfield, Soccer
Richard Kiplagat, Iona, XC
Sean Lynch, Manhattan, XC
J.J. Allen, Marist, Football
Keith Detelj, Marist, Soccer
Carl Haworth, Niagara, Soccer
Craig Wicken, Rider, Soccer
Juan Gaviria, Saint Peter’s, Soccer
James Beeston, Siena, Soccer
Milos Kocic, Loyola, Soccer
Tennant McVea, Loyola, Soccer
Women’s First Team
Kelly Reinwald, Canisius, Soccer
Joanne Saunders, Fairfield, Volleyball
Kate Avery, Iona, XC
Luka Van Cauteren, Manhattan, Volleyball
Mackenzie Stephens, Marist, Volleyball
Trish O’Dwyer, Monmouth, Field Hockey
Hannah Hedrick, Niagara, Volleyball
Nichole Schiro, Loyola, Women's Soccer
Tami Coyle, Rider, Soccer
Valentina Zaharieva, Saint Peter’s, Volleyball
Burgandy McCurty, Siena, Volleyball
Theresa Sobiesk, Army XC
Men’s Second Team
Frank Zabawa, Canisius, Football
Jim McElderry, Fairfield, Soccer
Mitch Goose, Iona, XC
Eric Klenofsky, Monmouth, Soccer
Matt Spring, Manhattan, XC
Matt Jeffery, Monmouth, Soccer
Borja Angoitia, Quinnipiac, Men's Soccer
John Fiutowski, Niagara, Soccer
Keith Richardson, Rider, Soccer
Rinaldo Chambers, Saint Peter’s, Soccer
Sindre Ek, Siena, Soccer
Zach Thornton, Loyola, Men's Soccer
John Shannon, Fordham, Men's Soccer
Women’s Second Team
Heather Whalen, Canisius, XC
Ahna Johnson, Fairfield, Soccer
Heidi Gregson, Iona, XC
Margaret McParland, Manhattan, XC
Michelle Gaye, Marist, XC
Alexis McTamney, Monmouth, Soccer
Rosie Luzak, Niagara, Soccer
Niamh Ashe, Quinnipiac, XC
Jess Rusin, Quinnipiac, Field Hockey
Sarah Artale, Rider, Soccer
Nicole Tracey, Saint Peter’s, Soccer
April London, Siena, Volleyball