RU's Porter, Hooker Named First Team All-Conference

CHARLESTON, N.C. -- Radford women's soccer had five played honored by the Big South Wednesday night, including two First Team All-Conference honorees, at the League's annual awards banquet at Charleston Southen.

RU senior forward Nikki Porter (Maryville, Tenn.) joined UNC Asheville's Emily Langill as unanimous First-Team selections. Radford junior forward Jonita Hooker (Woodbridge, Va.) was also named to the First Team.

Porter and Hooker have combined for 21 of RU's 41 goals and 11 assists this season. Hooker has recorded a team best 11 goals to go along with five assists, while Porter has a team high six assists with 10 goals. Each forward has four game-winners.

Junior defener Erin Cozza and freshman midfielder Brianna Kipper were named Second Team All-Conference. Sophomore goalkeeper Tara Oleartchik was named to the Academic All-Conference team.

Langill and Birmingham-Southern coach Keidane McAlpine were awarded the 2004 Big South women's soccer Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively.

Birmingham-Southern's Anne McIntyre was voted Freshman of the Year and Charleston Southern's Katie Crona was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The awards banquet served as the kickoff for the 2004 Women's Soccer Championship. The first round begins Thursday in Charleston, S.C., with four games scheduled throughout the day at Blackbaud Stadium. The Highlanders face sixth-seeded Charleston Southern at 7:30 pm.

If the Highlanders defeat Charleston Southern, Radford would advance to the semifinals on Friday at 7:30 pm against the winner of the match between No.2 Birmingham-Southern and No.7 Coastal Carolina. The Championship match is set for 7 pm on Saturday

2004 Big South Conference Women's Soccer Award Winners

First Team All-Conference
Anne McIntyre, F, Birmingham-Southern
Jess Smith, D/M, Birmingham-Southern
Katie Crona, M, Charleston Southern
Bobbie Parsons, F, Coastal Carolina
Jen Evans, F, High Point
Megan Fatkin, D, Liberty
Lauren Zealand, M, Liberty
Jonita Hooker, F, Radford
Nikki Porter, F, Radford (unanimous)
Emily Langill, D, UNC Asheville (unanimous)
Michelle Mattos, GK, UNC Asheville
Hilary McKay, F, UNC Asheville
Brita Nordgren, M, UNC Asheville

Second Team All-Conference
Caitlin Gordon, F, Birmingham-Southern
Andria Gray, GK, Birmingham-Southern
Sharmaine Samuels, D, Birmingham-Southern
Ashley Welch, M, Birmingham-Southern
Leah Barrett, MF/D, Coastal Carolina
Amy Anzovino, F, High Point
Rachel Bendzlowicz, D, Liberty
Erin Cozza, D, Radford
Brianna Kipper, M/F, Radford
Erin Trigonoplos, D, UNC Asheville
Colleen Redmond, F, VMI
Jennifer Hensley, MF, Winthrop
Carolyn Quarles, D, Winthrop

Academic All-Conference
Jess Smith, Birmingham-Southern
Katie Crona, Charleston Southern
Bobbie Parsons, Coastal Carolina
Lena Svensson, High Point
Lauren Zealand, Liberty
Tara Oleartchick, Radford
Lauren Wingo, UNC Asheville
Vanessa Berrios, VMI
Erica Devine, Winthrop

Player of the Year
Emily Langill, D, UNC Asheville

Freshman of the Year
Anne McIntyre, F, Birmingham-Southern

Coach of the Year
Keidane McAlpine, Birmingham-Southern

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Katie Crona, Charleston Southern