Bryant honors historic 2017 campaign at end-of-season banquet

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – As part of their annual end of season banquet, Bryant University women's soccer honored six of their athletes with awards as voted on by the team at the end of Bryant's 11-5-2 campaign in 2017.

Freshman Jamie Irwin (Succasunna, N.J.) was named as the team's Rookie of the Year. The Bulldog made history on Bryant's back line in 2017, becoming the first freshman in program history to be named first-team All-Northeast Conference and was third-team All-Region according to the NSCAA, another first for the program.

The most improved player in 2017 was given to junior Cayla D'Amico (Grafton, Mass.), who worked her way into the starting lineup at the end of the season, starting the team's Northeast Conference semifinal vs. Fairleigh Dickinson. She recorded a goal against Vermont, as well as record a goal and an assist in the Bulldogs' 2-1 win over Sacred Heart.

Bryant's Most Valuable Offensive Player was given to senior Haley Reddish (Natick, Mass.) for her goal-scoring ability from inside and outside of the 18-yard box. She scored in the team's first win of the season, a 3-0 margin at Rhode Island, and scored the game-winner in the Bulldogs' 1-0 win at LIU Brooklyn, a result that would prove vital to Bryant's clinching of a postseason bid.

Senior Rachel Brightman (Rochester, N.Y.) was named 2017 Most Valuable Defensive Player for her stout goalkeeping. She allowed just three goals in 810 minutes between the posts this season and none after their October 1 bout with Saint Francis. The Greece Olympia graduate was crucial in Bryant's 0.80 goals-against average, a mark that led all of New England.

Reddish was also named as Bryant's 2017 Most Valuable Player. She was Bryant's representative on the team sheets for the 2018 New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer League Senior All-Star Game and was recognized for her incredible goals, control in the midfield and lung-busting defensive runs. She was also praised for her remarkable grace, bravery, mental toughness and resilience.

Finally, Bryant named junior Alex Spangler (Acton, Mass.) as Bryant's 2017 Core Values Person of the Year as well as the Bulldogs' representative on the Leadership Council for the coming season. She has established herself as a very well-respected leader in the Bulldogs' program even when she has not been able to show her leadership and skill on the pitch.