Oct. 24, 2012
Cambridge, Mass. - Senior Sa'sha Kershaw (Baltimore, Md.) of the Stony Brook women's soccer team was named first-team All-America East, headlining five Seawolves honored by the conference on Wednesday. Juniors Larissa Nysch (Dresher, Pa.) and Ahriel Fernandez (East Haven, Conn.) were named second-team All-Conference, while freshmen Raven Edwards (West Orange, N.J.) and Tessa Devereaux (Fayetteville, N.Y.) were named to the All-Rookie Team.
A second-team honoree last year, Kershaw has started every game in central midfield and leads the team with 1,710 minutes played in 2012. The Baltimore, Md. native has five goals and 12 points this season and netted game-winners against Manhattan and Lehigh in September. Kershaw also converted a critical second-half penalty kick against UMBC on Oct. 14 to help the Seawolves earn a point in a 1-1 draw on the road.
Nysch, who leads the Seawolves in goals (7) and points (17), has established herself as one of the conference's most lethal forwards. Her 17 points rank third in the America East and her 57 shots rank first. Nysch netted two goals against Maine in a 5-1 victory on Oct. 11 and was named the conference's Player of the Week as a result. The junior also scored goals against America East foes Albany, Vermont and Hartford.
A rock in the center of the Stony Brook defense, Fernandez is the leader of a backline that posted four shutouts during the regular season. The East Haven, Conn. native has played nearly 1,700 minutes and has started 17 games heading into postseason play.
The second-highest scoring freshman in the conference, Edwards has five goals and 12 points in her first season with Stony Brook. The West Orange, N.J. native netted goals against Maine and New Hampshire in conference play, including the overtime winner against the Wildcats on Oct. 18.
Devereaux, who is second in the conference with six assists, has played an integral role in the attacking midfield, starting all 18 games and posting eight points. A unanimous selection on the All-Rookie team, Devereaux has played over 1,700 minutes and has emerged as one of the team's top playmakers.
The Seawolves (9-6-3) will face No. 3 New Hampshire in the America East Quarterfinals on Thursday at 2 p.m. in Durham, N.H.
All-America East First Team
Shayla Bergeron, Sr., F, Albany *
Madison Clemens, Jr., F, Boston University
Amelia Pereira, Sr., F, Hartford *
Chelsea DeVerna, Sr., F, Albany
Sa'sha Kershaw, Sr., M, Stony Brook
Caroline Dixon, Sr., M, Hartford
Emma Clark, Jr., M, Boston University *
Shealagh Begley, Sr., D, Hartford
Haley Marks, Jr., D, Vermont
Jessica Morrow, Sr., D, Boston University
Erin Quinlan, Jr., GK, Hartford
All-America East Second Team
Larissa Nysch, Jr., F, Stony Brook
Sarah Furminger, Sr., F, Binghamton
Anna Cuffia, So., F, Boston University
Megan McGoldrick, Jr., M, Boston University
Caitlin Alves, Sr., M, Hartford
Charlene Achille, Fr., M, Maine
Kerry Glynn, So., M, Vermont
Erin Mullen, Jr., D, Boston University
Elizabeth Curry, Sr., D, New Hampshire
Ahriel Fernandez, Jr., D, Stony Brook
Lauren Kadet, Jr., GK, UMBC
All-Rookie Team
Claire Pleuler, Fr., M, Boston University
McKenzie Hollenbaugh, Fr., M, Boston University
Sidney Spremullo, Fr., M, Hartford *
Morgan Berry, So., M, Hartford
Charlene Achille, Fr., M, Maine *
Noelle Leon-Palmer, Fr., D, Maine
Amira Walcott, Fr., D, UMBC
Kirstyn Corder, Fr., F, New Hampshire *
Tessa Devereaux, Fr., M, Stony Brook *
Raven Edwards, Fr., F, Stony Brook
Ally Ramos, Fr., GK, Vermont
Striker of the Year
Amelia Pereira, Hartford
Midfielder of the Year
Emma Clark, Boston University
Defender of the Year
Jessica Morrow, Boston University
Goalkeeper of the Year
Erin Quinlan, Hartford
Rookie of the Year
Charlene Achille, Maine
Coaching Staff(s) of the Year
Nancy Feldman, Boston University
John Natale, Hartford
* Denotes unanimous selection
