NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Saint Joseph's sophomore Dakota Mills was voted Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year, senior Emily Gingrich was tabbed Midfielder of the Year, freshman Gabrielle Vagnozzi was named Rookie of the Year and head coach Jess Mannella was selected Coach of the Year as the Hawks claimed four of the five major A-10 awards, conference officials announced on Wednesday.
Mills and Gingrich were also selected to the A-10 All-Conference First Team with sophomore defender Paige Bergman garnering A-10 All-Conference Second Team honors in a vote by the conferences coaches. Additionally, Vagnozzi joined freshman goalkeeper Cameron Perrott on the A-10 All-Rookie Team.
Posting the best offensive season in Saint Joseph's history, Mills has set new single-season records for goals (16) and points (37) this year. Currently fourth in the nation in goals and sixth in points, Mills also enters this week's A-10 Championship with a conference-best seven game-winning goals. Starting all 19 games this season, she has already etched her name alongside the Hawks' all-time leaders as she currently ranks fifth in goals (26) and points (60). Mills is also the second SJU player to be named A-10 Offensive Player of the Year, joining 2006 recipient Ali Wean.
The only player in Saint Joseph's history to record 100 career points, Gingrich has posted another stellar season in the midfield in 2016 as she enters the week ranked fourth in the A-10 in points (26) and tied for fourth in goals (11). Already SJU's all-time leader in goals (43), points (103) and shots (305), Gingrich joins 2011 and 2012 A-10 Midfielder of the Year Mo Hawkins as just the second player in program history to earn the conference's individual honor and be named to the A-10 All-Conference Team four times.
Making an immediate impact on Hawk Hill, Vagnozzi established herself as one of the top playmakers in the conference. Appearing in 17 matches with 14 starts, she has matched Gingrich's single-season record for assists with nine this year. Leading the conference and ranking 13th nationally in assists, Vagnozzi is also third on the team in points (13) and is the fourth Hawk to earn A-10 Rookie of the Year honors joining Gingrich (2013), Jen Pfeiffer (2008) and Megan Schutt (2003).
Now in her 16th season with the Hawks, Mannella has guided her team to 16-1-2 record this year, setting a new record for wins along the way. Currently receiving votes in the NSCAA Division I National Poll and ranked first in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Poll, Saint Joseph's captured its first ever regular season A-10 title after going 9-0-1 in conference play, and with Mannella's direction, have gone unbeaten in its last 17 matches.
Starting all 19 games for the Hawks' on defense, Bergman has helped her team post a 1.18 goals-against-average this season. While primarily playing on the backline, Bergman has also contributed in the offensive end as she ranks second on SJU and is tied for fifth in the A-10 in assists with six.
Posting an 11-1-2 record in net, Perrott has been a key to Saint Joseph's success this season. Recording a team-high 53 saves with a .726 save percentage, she is the first SJU goalkeeper to be named to the A-10 All-Rookie team since Christine Neal in 2009.
Seeded first in the A-10 Championship, Saint Joseph's opens play this Thursday versus eighth seed Rhode Island in the quarterfinals at 5 p.m. at the University of Rhode Island's Soccer Complex.
Tickets for the championship will be available at the stadium. The first two rounds will be streamed for free on the A-10 Network, while Sunday's Championship will air on the American Sports Network (ASN) at noon.
For complete coverage of the 2016 Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Championship, log on to the A-10 Championship Central.
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