BROOKLINE, Mass. - Four UNC Wilmington women's soccer players have been recognized by the Colonial Athletic Association on the eve of the 2009 CAA Women's Soccer Championship.

The third seed in the 2009 CAA Women's Soccer Championship, UNCW will square off against second-seeded Hofstra at 3 p.m. Friday in the first semifinal at Parsons Field. The winner will face the victor of the other semifinal between top-seed Northeastern and the fourth-seed James Madison in the Championship game Sunday at 1 p.m.

Freshman forward Stephanie Rose highlighted the quartet of Seahawk award winners when she was named Second-Team All-CAA and earned All-Rookie Team honors. Junior midfielder Megan Novak joined Rose as a Second-Team All-CAA selection while senior midfielder Ashley Myers was a Third-Team All-League honoree. Rose was one of two All-Rookie Team selections for UNCW as freshman defender Lindsay Henry was also recognized as one of the league's top newcomers.

"It is always good to have our individual players recognized by fellow coaches," said veteran UNCW Head Coach Paul Cairney. "The CAA is a tremendous league for women's soccer, so our All-CAA selections should be proud. However, it is interesting that we did not have one player voted First-Team All-CAA. This speaks volumes for our depth and balance as a squad. We are a team. We play as a team and win as a team."

A native of nearby Jacksonville, N.C., Rose earned Second-Team All-CAA and CAA All-Rookie Team honors after a fantastic freshman campaign that saw her lead the team in scoring during the regular season with 17 points on a team-high seven goals and three assists. The reigning North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association Player-of-the-Year, Rose has made an profound impact when it has mattered most, scoring two game-winning goals and assisting on two other decisive tallies. 

"Stephanie is having a great freshman year," said Cairney. "She has great natural speed and knows her way to goal. In addition, she works very hard and is getting better for us every day. We are excited about her future."  

Novak receives the first All-Conference honor of her career as the College Park, Md., product ranks second on the team in scoring with 11 points (5 G, 1 A). Novak paced the squad with three-game winning goals during the regular season, including back-to-back winners in road victories against James Madison and Virginia Commonwealth that earned her CAA Co-Player-of-the-Week and Soccer America Team-of-the-Week honors. 

"Megan is an unsung hero for our squad," Cairney said. "She rolls up her sleeves and goes to work every day. She is not flashy and does the dirty work required of a midfielder. She has scored many game winners for us this season and I am quite happy that she has been recognized for her efforts."

Myers picks up Third-Team All-CAA honors in her first season with the program as she is tied for third in team scoring with eight points (4 G). One of only six players to take part in all 19 games this season, Myers played a key role in the Seahawks attack as the Penn State transfer and Bel Air, Md., native fired a team-high 50 shots and led the team with 24 shots on goal.

"Ashley is a talented player," said Cairney. "She does so much for our younger players on the training field. She has a great tactical sense and a drive to win every game. When she plays, it is like having a coach on the field."

A product of Ashburn, Va., Henry was named to the All-Rookie Team after a freshman campaign that saw her start all 19 games during the regular season, the only player on the UNCW roster to accomplish that feat. A key member of the Seahawks backline that posted seven shutouts during the regular season, Henry also chipped in three assists as she played a key part in the team's set piece attacks.

"Lindsay is our only player this season to start all 19 games, which is a tremendous achievement for any player, let alone a freshman," said Cairney. "She is a great defender and her ability in free-kick situations makes her an offensive threat. Along with classmate Jennifer Ludemann, Lindsay has been the backbone of our defense this season and we look forward to her continued development for years to come."

2009 CAA Player of the Year:  Devin Petta, Northeastern
2009 CAA Defensive Player of the Year:  Diana Weigel, William & Mary
2009 CAA Rookie of the Year:  Devin Petta, Northeastern
2009 CAA Coach of the Year:  Ed Matz, Northeastern

* - All-CAA First Team in 2008  # - All-CAA Second Team in 2008            % - All-CAA Third Team in 2008