SUNYAC Releases 2016 Women's Soccer Annual Awards

CORTLAND, N.Y. – The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announces the 2016 women's soccer awards including Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and All-Conference teams as voted on by the conference coaches. This year, the regular season and conference champions, Buffalo State completed a sweep of all four awards.

Taylor Carillo, Fr., Goalkeeper, (Pine Bush, NY), Rookie of the Year

Taylor Carillo has earned herself the Rookie of the Year. Carillo was a rock in the net this season going 9-0 as she posted eight shutouts in nine games within the conference and 13 shutouts overall. The Pine Bush native only allowed one goal in conference play while making 23 saves, giving her a conference best .958 save percentage. 

Melissa Smith, Sr., Forward, (N. Tonawanda, N.Y.) , Offensive Player of the Year

Melissa Smith has been named the Offensive Player of the Year. Smith finished the regular season with the most points (15) totaling six goals and three assists. With four of those goals being game winners. Smith eventually netted the lone goal in the SUNYAC Championship game against Geneseo that led them to their first ever conference title. 

Kristin Seiferth, Sr. Midfielder, (Brightwaters, N.Y.), Defensive Player of the Year

Kristin Seiferth is the third Bengal to be honored this season as she is named the Defensive Player of the Year.  Seiferth was a part of a solid defense that led Buffalo State to 13 shutouts overall and 8 against conference opponents and allowed just 10 goals all season.  In the SUNYAC Championship game, the team held Geneseo to just three shots on goal to win the game, 1-0. 

Nick DeMarsh, Women's Soccer Coach of the Year

The fourth and final Bengal earning an award is the head coach Nick DeMarsh. This is the third time Coach DeMarsh has earned SUNYAC Coach of the Year honors. This season, he coached the Bengals to their second regular season conference title, and their first conference championship in the history of the program. The Bengals also set a school record for wins in a season finishing 17-1-2, with their previous record set last season with 15 wins. The team prepares for its first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament hosting the first and second rounds Nov. 12-13.

2016 SUNYAC Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams (PDF)