ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Senior Kelly Miranda, who helped spearhead Nazareth's improbable field hockey rise from worst to first in 2007, has been recognized as Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year.
In voting conducted among the league's seven head coaches, Miranda was also named to the first team along with senior defender Megan Grimmer. Two other Nazareth players, sophomore forward Kelly Flanagan and junior midfielder Julie Paska, were named to the second team.
Miranda, of Ossining, N.Y. and a graduate of Ossining High School, was named Most Valuable Player of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament last weekend in leading Nazareth to the championship. She helped the Golden Flyers to a 14-5 regular-season record by amassing 30 points on 11 goals and a team-high eight assists. She was twice honored this season as E8 Player of the Week.
Grimmer, of New Hartford, N.Y. and a graduate of New Hartford High School, was the anchor of a defense that helped Nazareth set a school record for victories while posting three shutouts. She also contributed three assists.
Flanagan, of Fairport, N.Y. and a graduate of Fairport High School, led the Golden Flyers in scoring in 2007 with 35 points, including a school-record 17 goals.
Paska, of Fort Edward, N.Y. and a graduate of South Glens Falls High School, was an honorable mention selection in 2006 and started all 19 games for the Golden Flyers this season. She contributed three goals and two assists.
In addition to the four all-conference selections, senior Keri Ross (Webster Schroeder HS/Webster, NY) was Nazareth's representative on the E8 Field Hockey Sportswoman of the Year team. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibited the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.
Empire 8 All-Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Kelly Miranda, Nazareth
Rookie of the Year: Lauren Griggs, Stevens
Coach of the Year: Jomara Coghlan, Washington & Jefferson
First Team
Field Players
Kara Borzillo, so. Stevens
Laurie Calvasina, sr. Utica
Shannon Desgrosiellier, sr. Elmira
Marisa Frank, jr. Ithaca
Megan Grimmer, sr. Nazareth
Amanda Howard, sr. W&J
Beth Kelley, sr. W&J
Kelly Miranda, sr. Nazareth
Hillary Paul, jr. Stevens
Annie Yager, jr. Hartwick
Goalkeeper
Stephanie Smith, jr. Stevens
Second Team
Field Players
Tiffany Bichrest, fr. Utica
Krista Fieselmann, so. Ithaca
Kelly Flanagan, so. Nazareth
Samantha Galm, so. Hartwick
Danielle Greene, jr. Hartwick
Chelsea Jipner, so. Elmira
Julie Paska, jr. Nazareth
Laura Peery, jr. W&J
Casey Scherck, jr. Stevens
Allison Shields, jr. Stevens
Goalkeeper
Amanda McDonnell, jr. Utica
Honorable Mention
Amanda Barton, Hartwick, Elyse Green, Ithaca; Elizzabeth Knudsen, Utica, Leslie Robinson, Ithaca; Casey Ross, Elmira; Julie Zackey, W&J
Sportswoman of the Year
Shannon Desgrosiellier, sr. Elmira
Meri Antin, sr. Hartwick
Marisa Frank, jr. Ithaca
Keri Ross, sr. Nazareth
Jessica Ablonczy, so. Stevens
Jessica Benedict, sr. Utica
Erika Ruddy, sr. W&J