Central Earns Three NEC Postseason Awards

The Central Connecticut women's soccer team received three major Northeast Conference postseason awards Thursday night at the 2019 Northeast Conference Tournament banquet held on the eve of the league championship. Senior co-captain Shauny Alterisio was named the Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year, while her fellow co-captain sophomore Roma McLaughlin was named the Midfielder of the Year. Head Coach Mick D'Arcy was named the NEC Coach of the Year for the sixth time. Five Blue Devils made the All-Conference First Team and three rookies were listed on the All-Rookie Team.

Roma McLaughlin - Midfielder of the Year

McLaughlin leads the Blue Devils and the NEC with 20 points (9g, 2a) in 14 games played. After six matches she doubled her number of goals scored as a rookie. The Greencastle County Donegal, Ireland native has taken 26 shots, 20 on goal. She holds a shoots on goal percentage of .769, is 2-2 in penalty kicks and has three game winners this season. McLaughlin was named NEC Player of the Week twice this year and was also the 2018 NEC Rookie of the Year.

Shauny Alterisio - Defensive Player of the Year

For the sixth consecutive year in program history (Jennifer Cafferky, 2014-17, Alterisio 2018-19) a Blue Devil has been named the Defensive Player of the Year. Alterisio has played a key role in the Central defense, helping the Blue Devils to post seven shutouts this year. The team has outscored opponents 29-6 in league play and holds a goals faced average of 2.17. Alterisio has played in all 18 matches this season and has a total of 5 points (1g, 3a). Her second career goal came in Central's 5-1 win over Mount St. Mary's.

Mick D'Arcy - Coach of the Year

D'Arcy has led the Blue Devils to a 10-4-4 overall record this season as they enter the NEC Tournament as the number one seed after going 8-1-1 in conference play. He has led CCSU to seven straight wins to close out the regular season. The Blue Devils haven't loss a match at home going 7-0-1 in New Britain this year. On Oct. 25 D'Arcy earned his 200th win at the helm of the CCSU women's soccer program with a 5-2 win over Robert Morris. As the winningest coach in program history, D'Arcy holds a record of 202-153-38 and has led the Blue Devils to seven of its nine NEC Championships.

Central's First Team All-Conference Players
Jenna Rae Covello
Emily Hogan
Roma McLaughlin
Shauny Alterisio
Erica Bardes

Central's All-Rookie Team Players
Sydnie Dorman
Olivia Fiori
Amanda McQuillan

The Blue Devils seek the program's 10th title this weekend, starting with a semifinal match against fourth-seeded Sacred Heart on Friday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. in New Britain, CT. Second-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson will take on third-seeded Bryant at 4 p.m. in the day's other matchup. The winners of Friday's matches will meet for the NEC Championship on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m.