March 2, 2010

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's women's soccer program recently held its end of the season banquet at Stony Brook Arena. During the evening, head coach Sue Ryan and her staff handed out team awards, including the teams Most Valuable Player, Coaches Award, Top Scholar-Athlete and Most Outstanding Freshman.

Aria Tanzi '08 was the event's keynote speaker. Tanzi played in 18 games as a senior and scored two goals including the game-winner over New Hampshire. She also helped lead Stony Brook to its first ever home playoff game and first of three consecutive America East Tournament semifinal appearances.

Senior Marisa Viola (Cutchogue, N.Y.) was named Most Valuable Player, closing her brilliant four-year Stony Brook by earning a spot on the All-America East second team as she set the programs career shutout record. Junior Debbie Aller (Stony Brook, N.Y,) took home the Top Scholar-Athlete Award while seniors Michelle Striefsky (Lansdale, Pa.) and Kelly Grant (Fairfax, Va.) earned the Coaches Award. Sa'sha Kershaw (Baltimore, Md.) was named the squads Outstanding Freshman.

The 2009 Seawolves advanced to the America East semifinals, the third consecutive year that SBU has advanced to at least the semifinals. Stony Brook also played No. 23 Rutgers to a 1-1 tie and defeated eventual conference champion Boston University, 2-1, during the regular season. The victory over the Terriers ended BU's 22 game conference-win streak.

2009 Individual Awards
All-America East first team (Alex Teti)
All-America East second team (Marisa Viola)
America East Conference All-Academic team (Debbie Aller)
America East All-Championship team (Viola, Teti)
America East All-Rookie Team (Sa'sha Kershaw, Taryn Schoenbeck)

2009 Academic Awards
NSCAA/Adidas All-America Academic Team (fifth straight year)
America East Academic Commissioners Honor Roll
America East Academic Honor Roll