November 5, 2008
Contact: Mike Christie, Assistant Commissioner

USA South Women's Soccer Awards Announced

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for women's soccer. A total of 57 student-athletes have been named to the USA South All-Conference teams. Christopher Newport University's Emily Chesbro has been named the Player of the Year, Methodist University's Danielle Minichello is the Rookie of the Year and Christopher Newport head coach Ruth Keegan is the Coach of the Year. Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team consisting of one member from each competing school. All awards are voted on by the women's soccer coach at each institution.

Chesbro, a junior forward from Fairfax, Virginia led the Captain offense this season with 24 points on 11 goals and one assist. Her point total ranked tenth in the Conference while her goal total was ninth in the league. Additionally, Chesbro led the USA South with five game-winning goals. Chesbro was named First Team All-Conference for the second consecutive season and earned her third All-Conference honor of her career as she was named Second Team All-Conference in 2006. Finally, Chesbro was named USA South Player of the Week once this fall.

Minichello, an Eden, North Carolina freshman forward, played in 16 contests, starting 15 of them in her first season for the Monarchs. Minichello totaled 30 points on 14 goals and two assists. Her point total ranked fourth in the USA South while her goal tally was tied for the second-highest output in the league. Additionally, Minichello notched four game-winning goals which was tied for the second-most in the USA South this fall. Minichello was named First Team All-Conference while also earning USA South Rookie of the Week honors three times this fall.

Keegan, in her first year as the head of the Captains, led her team to a 12-6-1 overall regular season record with an unblemished 9-0 mark in league play. The perfect Conference record earned CNU its fifth regular season title in seven years. The Captains, the top-seed in the USA South Tournament, have captured three of the past four tournament crowns.

Player of the Year                                                                
Emily Chesbro - Christopher Newport                                      

Rookie of the Year                                                    
Danielle Minichello - Methodist

Coach of the Year                                                                  
Ruth Keegan - Christopher Newport

The 2008 USA South Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team	Second Team	Third Team
Forward Emily Chesbro - Christopher Newport Maggie Hart - Meredith Danielle Minichello - Methodist Whitney Roberson - Methodist Midfield Alex Calvert - Meredith Karen Endresen - Averett Tessa Hall - Greensboro Defense LaQuinta Garrett - Ferrum Ann Marie Latess - Christopher Newport Shelby Walters - Christopher Newport Goalkeeper Kat Terza - Shenandoah	Forward Jessi Dennis - Shenandoah Kendall Dishaw - Christopher Newport Reva McCloud - N.C. Wesleyan Midfield Haley Bright - Peace Anna Buryk - Meredith Megan Conheeney - Christopher Newport Ashley Kolano - Methodist Defense Erica Bledsoe - Greensboro Amanda Johnson - Greensboro Kelly Orpin - Methodist Goalkeeper Dineen Sampson - Christopher Newport	Forward Meredith Hester - N.C. Wesleyan Jessica Lively - Ferrum Harlonda Smith - Peace Midfield Melissa Gallaher - Greensboro Tori Tenner - N.C. Wesleyan Kelsey Walters - Ferrum Defense Kristin Braxton - Meredith Meredith Cowart - Meredith Latoya Lesane - Ferrum Megan Richard - Christopher Newport Goalkeeper Katie Allegro - Greensboro