Alterisio, Covello Receive NEC Weekly Awards Monday
Shauny Alterisio and Jenna Rae Covello were named NEC Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week on Monday afternoon.
The Northeast Conference honored Central Connecticut women's soccer members sophomore Shauny Alterisio and freshman Jenna Rae Covello as NEC Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week as announced by the league's front office on Monday afternoon. Alongside a superb team effort in both Friday and Sunday's matches against Saint Francis U. and Robert Morris, the duo stood out with key plays down the stretch that sealed back-to-back shutouts for the Blue Devils.
In a rematch of the 2016 NEC title game, Covello scored the golden goal in CCSU's 1-0 double-overtime win over Saint Francis U on Friday. With just over a minute to play in the contest, Covello settled a rebound with her right foot before finishing with her left to give CCSU a key conference victory.
The Plymouth, CT native was rewarded with her fourth collegiate start the following match on Sunday against Robert Morris, a 1-0 victory that improved the Blue Devils to 3-2 in NEC play on the year.
Covello is now tied for the team lead with three goals on the year.
Alterisio, a second team All-NEC defender as a freshman last season, made her presence felt in both of CCSU's contests over the weekend. She deflected away two dangerous shots late in the second half of Friday's 1-0 overtime thriller over Saint Francis U in a rematch of the 2016 NEC final.
The sophomore defender from Danbury, CT also helped anchor the defense as Central posted another shutout win over Robert Morris on Sunday, limiting the Colonials to a single shot on goal. The Blue Devils have now shutout three straight NEC opponents and are tied for third in the NEC standings.
With just three games left on the 2017 regular season plate, the Central Connecticut women's soccer team will next prepare for a home match with Wagner on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. The New Britain squad will then travel to Smithfield, RI on Sunday to challenge the Bulldogs of Bryant who have yet to lose on their home turf this season.
The 2017 Northeast Conference Tournament is scheduled for November 3 & 5 at the site of the highest seed.