Top players, coaches honored by United Soccer Coaches
At the United Soccer Coaches Convention last weekend in Chicago, select women's NJCAA soccer coaches and players were honored for their achievements both on and off the field
Charlotte, NC - The United Soccer Coaches Convention took place over the weekend in Chicago, IL, as thousands of coaches and players descended upon the Windy City.
14 NJCAA women's soccer players were named to the 22-woman 2018 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Women's Scholar All-America Team. 11 of those 14 players selected earned 4.00 GPA marks for their Fall 2018 semester, highlighting their accomplishments both on and off the field.
Herkimer's Sarah George was named 2018 United Soccer Coaches National Scholar Player of the Year for the Junior College Women's Division. George finished the season with 25 goals and 12 assists, leading Herkimer to an appearance in the 2018 NJCAA Division III National Championship tournament after topping No. 1 and previously undefeated Erie in their District Championship final. George, a business major, finished with a 4.00 GPA this fall.
Read more (via HerkimerGenerals.com): Sarah George named 2018 United Soccer Coaches National Scholar Player of the Year
Roosa Ariyo took home 2018 NJCAA United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year honors. Ariyo helped lead Monroe Community College to a national tournament berth by scoring 55 goals and recording 128 points. Her 55 goals are the most by an NJCAA Division I soccer player since Barton's Shala Giardini recorded 59 in the 2009 season. Ariyo's 128 points is best marks in the NJCAA since Roberta Pelarigo produced an NJCAA all-time record 168 points for Young Harris College in the former NJCAA member's 2004 campaign.
Taking home honors for regional coaching staffs included Division I national champion Monroe's coaching staff as well as three national tournament qualifying teams on the Division III side.
| 2018 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Women's Regional Staffs of the Year (Division I) | ||||
| Region | Coach | School | ||
| North | Marcus DiBernardo | Monroe College (NY) | ||
| South | Jeff Carr | Eastern Florida State | ||
| Central | Tim Rooney | Lewis & Clark (IL) | ||
| West | Adam Hunter | Butler (KS) | ||
| 2018 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Women's Regional Staffs of the Year (Division III) | ||||
| Region | Coach | School | ||
| North | Jason Palkovic | Herkimer (NY) | ||
| South | Angela Correia | Union County (NJ) | ||
| Central | Paul Stenglein/Damon Amey | Delta (MI) | ||
Source: 2018 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Women's Regional Staffs of the Year
United Soccer Coaches also honored their own selection of All-Americans at the convention, which included a host of NJCAA players on both the Division I and Division III sides. Both of those teams can be found at the links below:
Division I United Soccer Coaches Junior College All-Americans
Division III United Soccer Coaches Junior College All-Americans