Dec. 3, 2008
Season Review Video
Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook's women's soccer team recently concluded a record-breaking 2008 season that saw the Seawolves continue to establish themselves as one of the top programs not only in the America East Conference but also the Northeast Region.
"It was a great year and we, as a coaching staff, are very proud of our squad," Stony Brook head coach Sue Ryan said. "We played our best soccer towards the latter stage of the year and it paid big dividends in conference play. We talked a lot about the process as opposed to just the outcome. By playing such a tough schedule early on and learning what we were capable of, that allowed us the opportunity to perform well in conference. We graduate four seniors - Trine Allenberg (Roberts, Wisc.), Brooke Barbuto (Syracuse, N.Y.), Kate Collins (N. Caldwell, N.J.), and Amanda Hemme (East Norwich, N.Y.)- all who contributed significantly this year and we are grateful for their hard work and dedication over the last four years."
Stony Brook's spectacular 2008 season came to an end on Nov. 8th with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Boston University in the America East Championship game, but that loss did nothing to dampen the tremendous steps SBU took as a program in 2008. Winners of six of their final eight games, Stony Brook's 11 victories were its most since 1994 and its six conference wins set a program record. The Seawolves also made their first appearance in the America East title game since 2002.
The Seawolves success on the field was recognized by its peers as well as Stony Brook received a slew of postseason awards. SBU set a program record for All-America East first team selections as Barbuto, freshman Colleen McKenna (Manorville, N.Y.) and junior goalkeeper Marisa Viola (Cutchogue, N.Y.) were each named to the 11-player squad. Barbuto was named to the America East All-Tournament team as well along with Allenberg and Collins.
A two-time All-America East first team selection, Barbuto closed her career in style as she tied a career-high with six goals in addition to posting a career-high six assists. McKenna, who was named the conference's Rookie of the Year, was terrific in her first season with the Seawolves as she led the conference in goals (nine) and points (21). McKenna was also selected to the America East's All-Rookie team along with freshman defender Alexis Lindo (York, Pa.).
Viola continued to be the backbone of the Seawolves defense this season as the Cutchogue, N.Y. native led the conference and ranked 21st in the nation in save percentage (.858) in addition to ranking sixth in the nation with 7.56 saves per game. The America East Goalkeeper of the Year, Viola also led the conference with 121 saves.
"We are very pleased with what we accomplished this year and we feel that we have a very solid foundation in place for future success," assistant coach Steve Welham said. "We are happy that we had the most successful year in our programs history but we feel our best soccer is still in front of us."
The Seawolves return eight of their 11 starters for next season including McKenna, Viola and Lindo.
