Bryant honors six in end of the year banquet

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team recently celebrated the 2018 season with its annual end of the year team banquet on Saturday. The Bulldogs honored six with end of the year awards that were voted on by the team, as well as recognizing their six seniors.  

Sophomore Amanda Spitaleri (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) took home the offensive player of the year award. Spitaleri led the Bulldogs this season with five goals on the year, including a hat trick that helped push Bryant past LIU Brooklyn in a 3-0 victory. The hat trick was the first of the Division I era.

The Rookie of the Year award was awarded to Corinne Rey (Norton, Mass.). Rey earned two Rookie of the Week honors by the Northeast Conference this season as the first-year player netted two goals and one assist, for five points on the year.

The Core Values Person of the Year is awarded annually to the player who displays outstanding character and commitment to the core values of Bryant Women's Soccer. This year, the award went to senior Katie Nugent (Newton, Mass.) for her dedication towards the program.

The Bulldogs voted sophomore Jamie Irwin (Succasunna, N.J.) as the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Irwin was an anchor in the back line this season starting in 15 games. The sophomore earned an NEC Defensive Player of the Week honor, as well as earning a spot on the 2018 NEC First Team All-Conference squad.

Senoir Rachel Benz (Stamford, Conn.) was this season's Most Improved Player of the Year. Benz appeared and stared in 14 games for the Black and Gold, recording a career-best of two goals on the season. Benz's goals helped Bryant top Robert Morris in a 2-0 victory, and tie Saint Francis U, 1-1.

Finally, tt was a split decision for Most Valuable Player as both Meghan Dalton (West Hartford, Conn.) and Irwin were awarded CO MVPs. Dalton started in all 16 games for the Black and Gold and recorded a career-high of five shutouts. Her first career shutout came in a 2-0 victory at Holy Cross as the sophomore accumulated 70 saves on the season. The defensive duo allowed just 18 goals across 16 games during the 2018 season.