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South Easton, Mass. – Franklin Pierce University senior forward Gabriela Demoner (Vitoria, Brazil) was named the 2009 Northeast-10 Women’s Soccer Player of the Year by the conference’s head coaches.

Demoner, a two-time NE-10 Player of the Year, has been an essential part to the Ravens offense that ranks first in the conference in scoring. She currently leads the Northeast-10 with 27 goals, which is one shy of her career high, points (60) and game-winning goals (5). Demoner is also tied for sixth place with six assists. Among the Division II leaders, Demoner is first in goals and second in points per game. In addition, she was named to the All-Northeast-10 First Team for the fourth straight season.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell senior Kathleen Strazzere (Wilmington, Mass.) and Franklin Pierce’s senior Rachel Smith (Chichester, N.H.) were named 2009 Northeast-10 Co-Defensive Players of the Year. Strazzere, a two-time All-Northeast-10 selection, helped anchor the UMass Lowell defense that only surrendered seven goals this season. The River Hawks recorded 12 shutouts this season which is second-best in the Northeast-10. In addition, Strazzere was named to the All-Northeast-10 First Team for the first time in her career.

This marks the second straight season that Smith has been honored as the conference’s defensive player of the year. Smith has helped a Franklin Pierce defense hold opponents to less than a goal per game (0.71) and that has recorded 10 shutouts. Smith, a three-time All-Northeast-10 selection, has three goals scored so far this season. In addition, she was named to the All-Northeast-10 First Team for the second straight season.

UMass Lowell senior Jamie Gillis (North Billerica, Mass.) has been named the 2009 Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Year for the second-straight season. This year she leads the conference with 12 shutouts and is second in goals against average (0.37) and save percentage (.901). She also ranks among the national leaders in goals against average (6th) and save percentage (7th). Earlier this month, Gillis eclipsed the NCAA Division II record for consecutive shutout minutes setting a new record of 1,333 scoreless minutes. In addition, Gillis was named to the All-Northeast-10 First Team for the second straight season. In her career she is a four-time All-Northeast-10 selection.

Le Moyne College freshman forward Christie Morano (Highland, N.Y.) was selected the 2009 Northeast-10 Freshman of the Year. In her first year of collegiate action, Morano ranks among the conference leaders in points (24), goals (11) and is tied for second with four game-winning scores. She is the first Le Moyne freshman since Helena Heppeler in 2000 to win freshman of the year honors. In addition, Morano was named to the All-Northeast-10 Third Team and All-Rookie Team.

UMass Lowell’s Elie Monteiro was voted the 2009 Northeast-10 Coach of the Year by his peers. After finishing last season in sixth place, the River Hawks made a jump in the standings in 2009. UMass Lowell finished conference play with an 11-4-3 record good enough for third place in the NE-10. This is the second time Monteiro has been named the conference’s coach of the year. He also won the award in 2005.

With 16 member institutions the Northeast-10 shares the distinction of being the largest Division II conference in the country along with the PSAC and WVIAC. Its 23 championship sports provide athletic opportunities for over 5,500 student-athletes, the largest such program of any Division II conference.

- NE-10 –

2009 Northeast-10 Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams

First Team Forwards
Gabriela Demoner - Franklin Pierce
Angelika Johansson - Franklin Pierce
Gabrielle Gramprey - Merrimack
Kirstie St. Martin - Stonehill

First Team Midfielders
Kelley Dewalt - Assumption
Maddy Bissaillon - UMass Lowell
Amanda Deck - Saint Rose
Gina DellaRose - So. Connecticut
Ariel Teixeira - So. New Hampshire

First Team Defenders
Rachel Smith - Franklin Pierce
Kathleen Strazzere - UMass Lowell
Kelly Guerin - Saint Rose
Katie Whiting - Saint Rose
Jamie Gillis - UMass Lowell

First Team Goalkeeper
Jamie Gillis - UMass Lowell

Second Team Forwards
Brianne McDonnell - Adelphi
Cheryl Boyd - Bentley
Christina Harrison - Le Moyne
Gianna D'Errico - Saint Rose

Second Team Midfielders
Caitlin Morrison - Adelphi
Amanda Panaro - Franklin Pierce
Shona Franklin - Franklin Pierce
Jennifer Pearl - Saint Anselm

Second Team Defenders
Brittany Hess - Adelphi
Cassie Ashwell - American Int'l
Riane Fletcher - Le Moyne
Lindsey deMont - Merrimack
Ashley Knight - So. Connecticut

Second Team Goalkeeper
Susan Cowan - Saint Rose

Third Team Forwards
Sarah Boornazian - American Int'l
Christie Morano - Le Moyne
Taylor Hartmann - UMass Lowell
Jackie Vickers - Merrimack
Alexa DellaRocco - New Haven

Third Team Midfielders
Ella Merullo - UMass Lowell
Jessie DeGraan - Merrimack
Kerri Domohowski - Merrimack
Holly Dawson - New Haven
Kelsey Mahoney - Stonehill

Third Team Defenders
Michelle LaMar - UMass Lowell
Colleen Fitzpatrick - UMass Lowell
Claire Siekaniec - New Haven
Michelle Dickson - Saint Anselm

Third Team Goalkeeper
Lauren Keating - Assumption

All-Rookie Team
Bryony Parker - American Int'l
Molly Kessler - Assumption
Julie Foster - Franklin Pierce
Christie Morano - Le Moyne
Taylor Hartmann - UMass Lowell
Jenna Costa - UMass Lowell
Jenn Pino - Merrimack
Lucy Francisco - New Haven
Olivia Mapplethorpe - Pace
Megan Olsen - Saint Michael's
Meagan McKinney - Saint Rose
Daniela Abruzzese - So. New Hampshire
Sara Nagle - Stonehill