Three Spartans Earn Daktronics All-Region Laurels
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Nine different schools are represented on the Daktronics All-South Region team, with the University of Tampa placing three players among the group. Gabby Russo and Shannon Walisch were both on the first-team, with Brittan Spence earning second-team recognition.
Russo, a freshman midfielder from Middleton, Mass., leads all freshmen in the nation with 12 assists, also good for a team high. She also four goals, including two game-winners in her first collegiate season.
Walisch, a sophomore defender from Palm Harbor, Fla., has played in all 22 games while totaling a pair of assists. She has led a defensive unit that has registered 10 shutouts and outscored its opposition by a 52-14 mark.
Spence, a senior from Southampton, Pa., is second on the team in scoring with seven goals and six assists. She also has a game-winner while playing in all 22 matches. This marks the third time in her career that she is an all-region performer.
The Spartans will meet Lynn University on Friday for the NCAA South Regional championship, as the team looks to move into the round of eight in Savannah, Ga.
The team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The team is voted on by the NCAA Division II members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (D2SIDA), with the online nomination and voting process powered by ATHLETICSITE.COM.
Daktronics All-South Region First Team
GK - Michelle Dillingham, Rollins
D - Aija Bent-Trinder, Saint Leo
D - Anita Cox, Rollins
D - Charlotte Murrell, Rollins
D - Shannon Walisch, Tampa
M - Cassie Barbaresi, Saint Leo
M - Nikki Brown, North Alabama
M - Melissa Madrid, Barry
M - Gabby Russo, Tampa
F - Emma Karp, Barry
F - Melissa Ortiz, Lynn
F - Jennifer Osmond, North Alabama
F - Chloe Roberts, North Alabama
South Region Player of the Year: Chloe Roberts, North Alabama
Daktronics All-South Region Second Team
GK - Laura Carstens, Saint Leo
D - Stephanie Bradshaw, North Alabama
D - Danielle Cruz Mejia, West Florida
D - Ann-Marie Helgestad, Florida Tech
D - Lauren Impey, Lynn
M - Malin Broberg, Nova Southeastern
M - Paula Lillsjo, Florida Tech
M - Monica Malavassi, West Florida
M - Ashley Waplinger, Rollins
F - Dari Alcantara, Saint Leo
F - Tina Murray, West Florida
F - Ali Schrader, Rollins
F - Pia Soesemann, Saint Leo
F - Brittan Spence, Tampa