Women's Soccer 11/4/2015 6:00:00 PM By Brian Bohl

WSOC: Galton Wins CAA Player Of The Year Award For Third Straight Season

Leah Galton

Hempstead, N.Y. – Senior forward Leah Galton made league history by being named the Colonial Athletic Association's Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. Galton is the first three-time winner in CAA women's soccer history.

Galton earned the status as the league's best player in a vote of the league's 10 head coaches. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players. The Harrogate, England product was one of Hofstra players to earn selections to the All-CAA first team, joining junior midfielder Jill Mulholland on the list.

Senior midfielder Jeannine Molleda captured second-team honors, as did freshman defender Madeline Anderson. Junior defender Emily Agudelo was an all-third team pick and senior midfielder Chloe Dale was Hofstra's selection to the All-Academic team. Anderson and freshman forward Jenn Buoncore were tabbed to the All-Rookie squad.

William & Mary goalkeeper Caroline Casey won the Defensive Player of the Year award and Drexel's Vanessa Kara was the Rookie of the Year. UNCW's Paul Cairney was named the Coach of the Year.

Galton has now the Player of the Year award in 2013, 2014 and 2015 after capturing Rookie of the Year in 2012. She enters the CAA Championship with 26 career assists, tying her for Hofstra's all-time record. Her 47 career goals is just three behind Sam Scolarici for the all-time Hofstra mark and her 120 points is the school record. She is one of just 11 active Division I players to have 30 goals and 20 assists for her career and her point total is the sixth-highest of any active player in the top collegiate division.

Galton has 11 goals, six assists and 28 points in 17 games this season. She is just the fifth player to win multiple CAA Player of the Year awards and the first non-William & Mary member. Only Natalie Neaton (1993, 1995), Missy Wycinsky (1998-99), Claire Zimmeck (2006-07) and Mallory Schaffer (2011-12) won it two times. Galton was the CAA Preseason Player of the Year for three straight seasons and won the postseason honor in each of those campaigns as well.

Mulholland earned first-team honors for the second time in her career and the first since her rookie season in 2012. After injuries cut short her campaigns in 2013 and 2014, Mulholland returned to score seven goals with three assists in totaling 17 points in 18 games. The Levittown, New York native has a pair of two-goal games, including two at Northeastern on Oct. 16 that helped Hofstra clinch the CAA's regular season championship.

Molleda has earned All-CAA honors in each of her last three seasons. The Clifton, Virginia product was a first-team pick in 2014 and a third-team selection in 2013. She has two goals and five assists in being a key midfield contributor this season.

Anderson is the only Hofstra player to log every minute for the Pride this season. The first-year back liner has helped Hofstra shut out five opponents. The Westbury, New York native also contributed three goals and an assist, including a game-winning strike, in her first collegiate season.

Agudelo, a junior defender, earned her first career All-CAA award after scoring two goals and netting two assists in playing in all 18 games. The Long Beach, New York product has played at least 16 games in each of her three collegiate seasons.

Buoncore has emerged as a starting forward in her first season and Kings Park, New York native has two goals and five assists for nine points.

Hofstra (13-4-1, 7-1-1 CAA) earned the top seed and will host the CAA Championship, starting with a semifinal matchup against fourth-seeded James Madison on Friday at 7 p.m. from Hofstra Soccer Stadium. The Pride is 7-1 at home this season.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Sam Scolarici: F/M; 5' 3"; Senior

#7 Emily Agudelo: D/M; 5' 5"; Junior

#8 Chloe Dale: M; 5' 6"; Senior

#21 Leah Galton: F; 5' 7"; Senior

#13 Jeannine Molleda: F/M; 5' 2"; Senior

#5 Jill Mulholland: M; 5' 5"; Redshirt Junior

#2 Madeline Anderson: D; 5' 7"; Freshman

#16 Jenn Buoncore: F; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#19 Sam Scolarici
: 5' 3"; Senior
: F/M

#7 Emily Agudelo
: 5' 5"; Junior
: D/M

#8 Chloe Dale
: 5' 6"; Senior
: M

#21 Leah Galton
: 5' 7"; Senior
: F

#13 Jeannine Molleda
: 5' 2"; Senior
: F/M

#5 Jill Mulholland
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Junior
: M

#2 Madeline Anderson
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: D

#16 Jenn Buoncore
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: F