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Dennis, Styer headline Liberty League all-stars
November 3 , 2005
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Liberty League Player of the Year
Sophie Dennis |
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Liberty League Rookie of the Year |
GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith junior forward Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) and first-year defender Charlotte Styer (Governor Mifflin/Mohnton, Pa.) took home top honors when the Liberty League postseason awards were announced today. Dennis was named the Liberty League Player of the Year, while Styer was named the Rookie of the Year after they lead the 11th-ranked Herons through the conference loop unbeaten at 7-0.
Seniors Maggie Dolan (Towson/Towson, Md.) and Amy Kuzio (Clinton/Clinton, N.Y.) joined Dennis on the All-Liberty League first-team, while senior Lauren Fuller (Shaker/Loudonville, N.Y.) and junior Liz Saucier (Old Town/Old Town, Maine) were named to the second-team. Junior Brooke Atwood (Marathon/Marathon, N.Y.) and sophomore Skylar Beaver (Williamsville North/Williamsville, N.Y.) received honorable mention.
A four-time Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week, Dennis topped the conference’s scoring charts in goals (17), assists (12), and points (46) this season. She recorded five multiple-goal games, including two hat tricks. Entering the Liberty League Tournament, she ranks third in career points (136) and fourth in career goals (56) at William Smith, and needs just three goals and six points to match those career benchmarks. Now a three-time All-Liberty League first-team selection, Dennis was the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2003.
The only first-year to start for William Smith this season, Styer has been a key contributor to a William Smith defense that has held opponents to fewer than nine total shots and five shots on goal per game. She was named Liberty League Rookie of the Week following the William Smith Tournament in which the Herons allowed just 12 shots and one goal in victories over Ramapo and Susquehanna.
A two-time All-Liberty League second-team pick, Dolan moved up to the first-team on the strength of her most productive season. The forward tied for the conference lead in goals (17) and ranks third in points (36), both career-highs. Dolan, who was twice tabbed the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week this season, scored a season-high three goals, including the game-winner, during the Herons’ 4-3 overtime win at St. Lawrence. Heading into tournament play, she has 38 career goals and 18 career assists for 94 points.
A three-time All-Liberty League selection, Kuzio is making her first appearance on the first-team. The midfielder scored four goals and was second behind Dennis with nine assists. Two of her tallies were game-winners in back-to-back matches against Susquehanna and Rensselaer. Kuzio recorded a career-high four points (1-2) in the regular season finale against Nazareth.
A three-year starter on defense, Fuller is a three-time All-Liberty League honoree. She has six goals, four assists and two defensive saves this season. A key player on the Herons’ offensive penalty corners, Fuller netted her first collegiate hat trick in the win over Nazareth. Over the past four seasons, she has scored 20 goals and recorded eight assists.
An honorable mention selection last season, Saucier finished the regular season tied for fifth on the team in scoring with 11 points (4-3). A talented and versatile athlete, she is equally as valuable in the Heron midfield as she is on defense and she has played both this season. Saucier scored a pair of goals in William Smith’s 5-2 win over Union this year. She has started all 58 games for the Herons over the past three seasons, logging 12 goals and nine assists.
A midfielder, Atwood received honorable mention for the second year in a row. She is tied for fifth on the team in scoring with 11 points (3-5). In 57 career games, including 36 starts, Atwood has nine goals and nine assists.
A first-year starter on defense, Beaver leads the team and is tied for second in the conference with four defensive saves. She is a shutdown defender who is rarely caught out of position.
William Smith (14-3) is the host of the 2005 Liberty League Championship Tournament. The top-seeded Herons will face No. 4 Union (10-8) in the first semifinal at 11 a.m. on Nov. 4. No. 2 Skidmore (13-4) will square off with No. 3 Rochester (10-8) at 2 p.m. The championship match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Nov. 5. All three games will be played on McCooey Field.
Admission to the tournament is free. Fans unable to make the trip to Geneva can follow all of the action via real time statistics on the Liberty League Tournament Web site.