Spitler, Hylton-Pelaia Earn 2016 All-Conference Honors

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Senior forward Lana Spitler garnered 2016 All-American Athletic Conference Second Team honors and freshman defender Jayda Hylton-Pelaia was named to the league's all-rookie team according to an announcement Tuesday afternoon.

It marks the second year in a row in which Spitler has received a second-team nod and a Pirate newcomer was also honored, as Courtney Cash was also an all-rookie selection in 2015.

"It's an honor for our program and it speaks volumes for the whole team that our players are recognized among the best in our conference," Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth said. I'm very proud of both of them and think they are very deserving."

A preseason all-conference team choice, Spitler was named to the American's weekly honor roll twice while leading the Pirates in points (19), goals (7) and assists (5) this season. Her 81 shot attempts ranked second in the conference and stand No. 2 on the program's all-time single-season chart. The Montoursville, Pa., native posted multi-goal games at Western Carolina on Aug. 28 and again on Sept. 11 as part of a career-high five-point performance against Charlotte. She recorded her first-collegiate multi-assist game with a pair at UCF on Oct. 23.

Overall, Spitler concludes her ECU career fifth in several categories on the program's all-time charts, including goals (22), points (59) and appearances (80), while her 198 total shots stand third all-time.

"Lana is someone that every coach I've talked to is really impressed with," Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth said. "She is one of those players who can create her own shot off the dribble with either foot. She's a great captain, has always been a leader by example and a great role model for our team."

Hylton-Pelaia started all 16 matches in which she appeared this season, logging 1,446 minutes for an average of more than 90 minutes per contest as the Pirates' right outside back. With a start in her collegiate debut on Aug. 19 against William & Mary, the Brampton, Ontario native became the first foreign player in program history to appear in a game.

"Jayda made her mark right from her first day of preseason," Donnenwirth said. "As a freshman jumping in and starting right away, she defended some of the best forwards in the country and her speed allowed her to do that. I look forward to her taking her game to another level."

Offensive Player of the Year
Stephanie Ribeiro, UConn*

Defensive Player of the Year
Saga Fredriksson, UCF
Toriana Patterson, UConn

Midfielder of the Year
Rachel Hill, UConn
Rachel Thun, Tulsa

Goalkeeper of the Year
Emily Armstrong, UConn

Rookie of the Year
Evelyne Viens, USF

Coach of the Year
Len Tsantiris, UConn
Chris Petrucelli, SMU

Team Fair Play Award
Houston

First Team All-Conference
Carol Rodrigues, F, Sr., UCF
Vanessa Gilles, D, Jr, Cincinnati
Emily Armstrong, GK, Sr., UConn
Rachel Hill, MF, Sr., UConn
Toriana Patterson, D, RS-Sr., UConn
Stephanie Ribeiro, F, RS-Sr. UConn*
Marie Levasseur, F, So., Memphis
Valerie Sanderson, F, Sr., Memphis*
Evelyne Viens, F, Fr., USF
Allie Thornton, F, Fr., SMU
Vanessa Valadez, F, RS-So., SMU
Rachel Thun, MF, Jr., Tulsa

Second Team All-Conference
Morgan Ferrara, F, Jr., UCF
Saga Fredriksson, D, Jr., UCF
Julie Gavorski, F, Jr., Cincinnati
Lana Spitler, F, Sr., East Carolina
Maryse Bard-Martel, GK, Sr., Memphis
Olivia Gauthier, D, So., Memphis
Jessica Lisi, MF, Fr., Memphis
Trudi Carter, F, Sr., USF
Andrea Hauksdottir, MF, Fr., USF
Jordyn Listro, D, Sr., USF
Taylor Barg, D, Sr., SMU
Claire Oates, MF, Jr., SMU
Tana Dake, MF, Jr., Tulsa

All-Rookie Team
Zandy Soree, MF, UCF
Bri Costigan, Cincinnati, D
Alana Moore, MF, UConn
Kristen Vinceguerra, D, UConn
Jayda Hylton-Pelaia, D, East Carolina
Serena Dolan, MF, Memphis
Jessica Lisi, MF, Memphis*
Andrea Hauksdottir, MF, USF
Evelyne Viens, F, USF*
Jessica Cooley, D, SMU
Allie Thornton, F, SMU
Anna Williams, F, Tulsa

[*] denotes unanimous selection

Players Mentioned

Courtney Cash

Jayda Hylton-Pelaia

Lana Spitler

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