Nov. 6, 2008

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Freshman forward Ashleigh Barone was named 2008 MAAC Rookie of the Year as announced at the women's soccer awards banquet at the Crowne Plaza in Albany this evening. Barone, a member of the MAAC First Team and All-Rookie Team as well, led the league in scoring with 15 goals, five assists, and 35 points. Six other Saints earned MAAC recognition on the league's Second Team and All-Rookie Team.

Senior captains Shana Brady and Chelsea Maguire and sophomore Maria DeMatteo were named to the MAAC Second Team. Brady and Maguire started every game this season and led a starting 11 with nine underclassmen. Maguire ranked tied for fifth in the league with six assists. DeMatteo was Siena's second leading scorer with seven goals and 17 points.

Barone, Lindsay Tegas, Maren Serafine and Laura Ettinger all earned spots on the MAAC All-Rookie Team. Tegas ranked fourth for the Saints in scoring, notching four goals and three assists. Serafine anchored a defensive unit with Brady at center back and recorded one assist. Ettinger ranked second in the league with a 0.77 goals-against average and a save percentage of .844. She tied for the league-lead with seven shutouts.

Barone is the first Siena player named Rookie of the Year since Val Brunner in 1994. This is the most Siena players to make the All-Rookie Team in school history. Siena plays Fairfield in the MAAC Tournament tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Siena Turf Field.