Harrisonburg, Va. - Sophomore forward Leah Galton earned another major conference award when she was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Year, it was announced tonight at the conference banquet.
Galton, who was named the CAA's Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2012 and the preseason Player of the Year this summer, became the second Hofstra student-athlete to win the Player of the Year honor. She joined Tiffany Yovino, who captured the honor in 2010.
Galton joined teammate Sam Scolarici on the All-CAA first team, giving Hofstra two of the four forwards on the squad. Senior midfielder Tara Kerns earned all-second team honors while sophomore midfielder Jeannine Molleda and senior defenders Brittany Farriella and Ruby Staplehurst garnered third-team honors.
James Madison picked up the other three major awards with Becky Sparks being named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year, Ashley Herndon being tabbed as Rookie of the Year and Dave Lombardo capturing Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Dukes to a 14-4-1 overall record and the league's regular season championship.
Galton (Harrogate, England) entered the week with eight goals and 11 assists for 27 points. She has logged at least one point in 13 of Hofstra's 18 games this season and her assist total is tied for 12th in Division I. Galton was a NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic First Team pick last year and is a candidate to earn that distinction again this season.
Scolarici, a junior from Aldie, Va., has tied Hofstra's all-time single-season record with 17 goals, which entered the week tied for eighth in Division I. She is tied for the CAA lead with 36 points and made her first CAA postseason team since being named to the all-rookie squad in 2011.
Galton and Scolarici have combined for 25 of Hofstra's 41 goals, which set a program record for highest combined goal total by a duo.
Kerns (Chesapeake, Va.) recorded her first postseason honor of her four-year career. A member of two NCAA Tournament teams in her tenure at Hofstra, she has a goal and an assist this season to earn second-team honors. She recorded her first career goal in her 60th game when she found the net in the 75th minute against Boston College on Sept. 1. The defensive-minded midfielder has also helped Hofstra record five shutouts this season. Kerns was also the only Hofstra player named to the all-academic team.
Molleda (Clifton, Va.) is in the midst of a breakout season with a career high five goals and five assists for 15 points. In her first season as a starter since taking over for the injured Jill Mulholland, Molleda has points in two of the last three games.
Farriella and Staplehurst comprised two-thirds of the third-team's defensive unit. The key members of the back line have helped Hofstra post a 306-186 shot advantage while assisting with goalkeepers Emily Morphitis and Friederike Mehring combining for five total clean sheets.
Staplehurst made the third team for a second consecutive season. In the current campaign, the London, England native has also expanded her offensive game with a career-high three goals. A major threat on free kicks and corner kicks, she has added goals against North Dakota State, Albany and Monmouth.
Farriella made her first CAA postseason team and has one goal and one assist on the season. The former Sachem North High School standout has started all 18 games and has contributed six shots. She scored her only goal of the season – and third of her career – versus William & Mary on Oct. 25 to help the Pride post a 3-3 tie with the Tribe.
Fourth-seeded Hofstra will take on top-seeded James Madison on Friday at 6 p.m. in the CAA Championship semifinal round at University Field in Harrisonburg, Va.
