BUFFALO — The University at Buffalo women’s soccer team saw four members earn All-MAC recognition on Thursday afternoon, as announced by the conference office. Julie Benati, Carissima Cutrona and Angel Hart all earned second team All-MAC honors while Gurjeena Jandu was named to the All-Freshman team.
Cutrona earned second team All-MAC honors for the first time in her career after finishing off the best season of her career. The Williamsville, NY native led the Bulls with 10 goals and one assist for 21 points as she became just the second UB player in the last 13 seasons to notch at least 10 goals in a season. She also had a knack for scoring big goals for UB as she netted four game-winning goals for the Bulls. She was one of seven players to start all 20 matches while leading the team with 54 shots.
Benati notched second team honors for the second straight season despite missing six matches due to injury. The shifty midfielder finished off her strong season with two goals and two assists for six points while ranking second on the team with 39 shots.
Senior Angel Hart earned second team All-MAC honors for the first time in her impressive UB career. Hart was finally honored for her strong defensive play as she has one of the most underrated players in the conference over the past three seasons. Hart finished off her senior season starting all 20 matches at center back and helped the UB defense secure six clean sheets and allowed under a goal per game against. Hart led the Bulls in minutes (1,908) this season and finished her career starting 72 matches and appearing in 81.
Jandu earned All-Freshman team honors after a very impressive freshman campaign that saw her start all 20 matches. Jandu ranked second in minutes played (1,886) while also notching an assist. The Mississauga, Ontario native started at center back next to Angel Hart and was very strong for the Bulls as she helped UB secure six shutouts while allowing just 11.6 shots/game against.
The Bulls closed out their 2016 campaign with a 7-8-5 overall record and a 4-4-3 conference mark while falling, 1-0, in the MAC quarterfinals to Central Michigan.
2016 MAC POSTSEASON AWARDS
- Offensive Player of the Year: Jenna Hellstrom, Kent State
- Defensive Player of the Year: Lorina White, Ball State
- Freshman of the Year: Sabrina McNeill, Eastern Michigan
- Coach of the Year: Rob Marinaro, Kent State
2016 All-MAC First Team
- Alyssa Heintschel, Ball State, GK
- Leah Mattingly, Ball State, D
- Lorina White, Ball State, D
- Alexis Pelafas, Central Michigan, F
- Eliza Van De Kerkhove, Central Michigan, MF
- Ellie Tillar, Eastern Michigan, MF
- Paige Culver, Kent State, D
- Jenna Hellstrom, Kent State, F
- Taylor Sarver, Northern Illinois, F
- Isa Echeverri, Toledo, MF
- Alyssa Burke, Western Michigan, MF
2016 All-MAC Second Team
- Chay McNitt, Ball State, MF
- Erica Hubert, Bowling Green, F
- Julia Benati, Buffalo, MF
- Carissima Cutrona, Buffalo, F
- Angel Hart, Buffalo, D
- Madison Pogarch, Central Michigan, D
- Kaylin Williams, Eastern Michigan, GK
- Donavan Capehart, Kent State, F
- Abbie Lawson, Kent State, MF
- Brittany Maisano, Kent State, D
- Alivia Milesky, Ohio, MF
- Kiersten Johnson, Toledo, F
- Liz Abro, Western Michigan, MF
All-Freshman Team
- Ashely Amato, Akron, Defender
- Julia Elvbo, Ball State, Forward
- Sam Kambol, Ball State, Forward
- Yela Ziswiler, Ball State, Defender
- Maureen Kennedy, Bowling Green, Defender
- Gurjeena Jandu, Buffalo, Defender
- Marle Bringard, Central Michigan, Midfielder
- Sabrina McNeill, Eastern Michigan, Forward
- Sierra Henderson-Muschett, Kent State, Defender
- Reagan Fleck, Miami, Defender
- Alivia Milesky, Ohio, Midfielder
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
