Mallams and Pitzl Collect BIG EAST Seasonal Honors

Nov. 2, 2006

HARTFORD, Conn. - - The BIG EAST Conference announced its postseason award winners as well as all-conference selections Thursday night at the Hilton Hotel in Hartford, Conn. Marquette junior forward Allison Mallams was named to the BIG EAST Second Team, while senior defender Michelle Pitzl was a Third Team All-BIG EAST selection.

"Our entire team feels honored that Michelle and Allison have been named All-BIG EAST by the conference," said head coach Markus Roeders. "Certainly, both of them have enjoyed an outstanding season but they would also be the first to tell you that they couldn't have done it without their teammates. We are very proud of them and even more our entire team since each player commits herself to training, preparing and competing every single day."

Mallams, a junior transfer from William Jewll, made a big impact her first season donning the blue and gold leading the team in goals and points. Mallams currently holds the ninth best single season points mark with 23 on eight goals and seven assists. 11 of her 23 points were scored in the Golden Eagles opening weekend where she recorded two goals against Bowling Green and added two goals and three assists in a 9-0 win over Sacred Heart. She ranks in the top-10 of the BIG EAST in four offensive categories; game-winning goals (five, tie-second) points (23, seventh), goals (eight, tie-eighth) and shots (2.65 per game, 10th). One of Mallams' golden goals came in double overtime to help Marquette defeat then no. 12 Connecticut, 1-0. She was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week following that performance.

Pitzl has been an integral part of Marquette's backline this season as she has started in every game this season. The senior from Shoreview, Minn., has helped the Golden Eagles to shutout 10 of their opponents, five in BIG EAST play, this season and has been a key reason why Marquette has allowed just one goal in its last six wins.

In individual awards handed out Thursday, St. John's head coach Ian Stone was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year, while Connecticut's Meghan Schnur was named the conference's midfielder of the year and goalkeeper Jillian Loyden of Villanova was named goalkeeper of the year for the second consecutive year. National Division Champion, Notre Dame, took home three individual honors as Kerri Hanks was named player of the year, Carrie Drew was named defensive player of the year and Michelle Weissenhofer was named the league's rookie of the year.

No. 25 Marquette will face top-ranked Notre Dame in the first BIG EAST Semifinal Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The game is to be broadcast live on ESPN U.

Player of the Year
Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame, F, So.
Defensive Player of the Year
Carrie Drew, Notre Dame, So.
Midfielder of the Year
Meghan Schnur, Connecticut, Jr.
Rookie of the Year
Michelle Weissenhofer, Notre Dame, Fr.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Jillian Loyden, Villanova, Sr.

Coach of the Year
Ian Stone, St. John's

ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM Jen Buczkowski, Notre Dame, M, Sr.
Amanda Cicchini, West Virginia, M, So.
Jamie Craft, Louisville, F, Sr.
Carrie Dew, Notre Dame, D, So.
Kelly Eagan, Villanova, D, Fr.
Deana Everrett, West Virginia, F, So.
*Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame, F, So.
Jillian Loyden, Villanova, G, Jr.
Meghan Schnur, Connecticut, M, Jr.
Brittany Taylor, Connecticut, D, So.
Michelle Weissenhofer, Notre Dame, F, Fr.
* - unanimous selection

ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM
Lana Bannerman, West Virginia, G, Sr.
Greer Barnes, West Virginia, M, So.
Brittany Bock, Notre Dame, F, So.
Kim Brandao, Rutgers, D, R-Sr.
Amanda Cinalli, Notre Dame, F, Jr.
Gina DeMaio, Rutgers, M, Fr.
Liz Eng, Connecticut, F, So.
Monique Gjini, Louisville, M, Jr.
Alicia Hall, Rutgers, M, So.
Nikki Mabery ,Villanova, F, Jr.
Allison Mallams, Marquette, F, Jr.

ALL-BIG EAST THIRD TEAM
Vaila Barsley, St. John's, D, Fr.
Kim Bonilla, West Virginia, F, Jr.
Lindsay Brauer,USF, M, Jr.
Niki Cross, Connecticut, D, Sr.
Melissa Murowski,Villanova, M, Jr.
Chrissy Skogen, Georgetown, M, Sr.
Nicole Pasciolla, St. John's, M, Fr.
Michelle Pitzl, Marquette, D, Sr.
Corina Sebesta, Pittsburgh, M, Sr.
Christie Shaner, Notre Dame, D, Sr.
Annie Yi, Connecticut, M, Fr.

ALL-BIG EAST HONORABLE MENTION
Joanna Haig, Louisville, G, Jr.
Jill Krivacek, Notre Dame, M, Sr.