NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. –Eastern Connecticut State University earned three of the five major awards this afternoon, when the 2009 Little East women’s soccer all-conference teams were announced. Senior striker Sarah Swann (Oxford, Conn.) was named the offensive player of the year, while junior back Lauren Hickey (Southwick, Mass.) was selected as the defensive player of the year. Freshman forward Daniela Marchitto (Orange, Conn.) completed the postseason awards for the Warriors with her rookie of the year selection. UMass Boston’s Amy Zombeck was selected as the coach of the year, while Plymouth State University earned the inaugural team sportsmanship award.

Swann is the fourth student-athlete in Eastern Connecticut women’s soccer history to be named the top offensive player and first since Jen Ferrari headlined the all-conference awards in 2004. The two-time All-Little East, first-team pick currently ranks sixth on the Warriors single-season goals (14) and points (33) lists. The Oxford, Conn. product will depart Willimantic, Conn. in the top-five of the all-time leaders in goals and points. She sits atop the conference individual standings in game-winning goals (6), while ranking second in goals and points. A starter in all 20 matches, Swann netted multiple markers six times, including a hat trick against Southern Maine on Oct. 10. She was selected as the offensive player of the week once on the campaign.

Hickey is the second-straight Eastern Connecticut player to be chosen as the top defensive player in the Little East and fourth overall. The native of Southwick, Mass. is making her second consecutive appearance on the all-conference teams, but debut on the first team. She anchored a suffocating defensive attack that led the Little East in least goals allowed (17) and goals against average (0.81), while ranking second in shutouts (9). The Warriors only allowed two or more goals in four matches this season, including a scoreless streak of 312 minutes, 17 seconds. A starter in 19 of her 20 matches, Hickey scored three goals and assisted on another for seven total points.

Marchitto made an immediate impact in the Eastern Connecticut attacking third of the field, setting a program record for scoring four consecutive goals in a three-match span. The All-Little East, first-team selection is second on the team in goals (8), while ranking third in points (17). She netted her first collegiate marker at Coast Guard on Sept. 19. Marchitto netted the decisive score in consecutive matches against Trinity (Conn.) and UMass Dartmouth, while putting in the game-winner against UMass Boston in the semifinals of the 2009 Little East Women’s Soccer Championship. A starter in 16 of her 19 matches, she registered a season-high five points against the Bears. Marchitto is the Warrior to be honored as the conference’s top rookie.

Zombeck is just the third boss in Little East women’s soccer history to earn the conference coach of the year award in back-to-back seasons, joining Western Connecticut’s Joe Mingachos (2007, 2006, 2005) and Keene State’s Denise Lyons (1998, 1997). The Beacons established a new single-season record for victories in 2009 with an overall record of 14-5-1 mark, putting an additional six wins between last year’s squad. UMass Boston sported a 5-1-1 mark in the Little East play to earn the third seed—the program’s highest—in the annual conference tournament and hosted a first round match for the second straight season. The Beacons also boast the most prolific offense in the circuit, averaging 2.95 goals per game. Zombeck mentored two all-conference student-athletes, including first-team selection Kristin Mulry (Holbrook, Mass.). UMass Boston will make its first postseason appearance this week, when the Beacons travel to the University of New England for the quarterfinals of the ECAC Division III New England Tournament.

Plymouth State University earned the inaugural women’s soccer team sportsmanship award after receiving only two yellow cards during the 2009 campaign. The Panthers were one of three other Little East teams to be booked for just two cautions. Head Coach Gene Smith led Plymouth State to an overall record of 6-9-2.

The Little East Conference is celebrating its 20th season sponsoring women's soccer in 2009. In 1990, Eastern Connecticut State University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (Southeastern Massachusetts University), Plymouth State University (College), and the University of Southern Maine comprised the original four squads. Western Connecticut State University joined the conference in 1994, while the University of Massachusetts Boston and Rhode Island College raised the membership to seven the following year. Keene State College completed the current eight-team membership in 1997.