Atlantic University Sport announced the 2016 women's soccer all-stars and major award winners today. The Sea-Hawks were well represented, taking home six individual awards.
Fourth-year Memorial Sea-Hawks striker Jessie Noseworthy was named the AUS most valuable player at Thursday’s awards luncheon, hosted at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre in Membertou, N.S. by Cape Breton University.
Other AUS major award winners announced were Memorial’s Nicole Torraville of St. John’s, N.L., who was named the rookie of the year and Memorial Sea-Hawks head coach Mike Power, who was selected as the coach of the year for the first time in his career.
The AUS also named the first and second team all-stars. Hannah Rivkin was selected as a First Team All-Star, while Jane Pope and Keisha Younge were named Second Team All-Stars.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – JESSIE NOSEWORTHY
She led the Atlantic conference and tied for first in the nation in goals with 14. She was first in the AUS and third in U Sports in assists with nine.
In her fourth year of eligibility, Noseworthy has accumulated 35 career regular season goals.
She was also named an AUS first team all-star Thursday for the third consecutive year. She was named a second team AUS all-star in her freshman season in 2013.
In 2014, Noseworthy was named a CIS (now U Sports) second team all-Canadian.
Acknowledged for her commitment both on and off the field, she was also awarded both the AUS and CIS student-athlete community service awards last season.
“Having already been established as an outstanding performer in the AUS, it was really impressive to watch Jessie take her game to new heights in 2016,” said Sea-Hawks head coach Mike Power. “She has worked very hard to add more dimensions and versatility to her game, while continuing to bring great maturity and leadership to our program. Being named the MVP in such a talent-rich league is another tremendous achievement in Jessie's varsity career.”
Noseworthy is just the second player from a Sea-Hawks squad to be named the conference’s most valuable player, and the first since former Memorial standout Laura Breen earned the honour in 2008.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – NICOLE TORRAVILLE
Nicole Torraville of the Memorial Sea-Hawks has been chosen by the coaches as the 2016 Atlantic University Sport rookie of the year.
A physical education student from St. John’s, N.L., Torraville started in all 12 regular season games in her freshman season.
The midfielder led all AUS first-year players in scoring with seven goals, including two game winners. She added three assists for 10 points on the season.
“We are delighted with the impact that Nicole has had in her first season as a Sea-Hawk,” said Memorial head coach Mike Power. “She's added another offensive threat to our lineup, and has competed extremely well against some top AUS talents without a sign of being unseasoned. Her overall talent is unmistakable, but she is also quite composed and wise, which really adds to her success.”
Torraville becomes the fourth freshman from a Sea-Hawks squad to take home AUS rookie of the year honours. Previous Memorial winners have included Sea-Hawks standouts Emily Bailey (2014), Laura Breen (2004) and Fiona Curtis (1996).
Torraville will now represent the Atlantic conference as the AUS nominee for the national rookie of the year award.
COACH OF THE YEAR – MIKE POWER
Memorial Sea-Hawks head coach Mike Power has been chosen by his peers as the 2016 AUS coach of the year.
This marks the first time coach Power has been selected as the conference’s top coach since he took over the team’s leadership last season.
This year, he guided the Sea-Hawks to a 10-1-1 regular season record and second place in the AUS standings. They secured not only a spot in this year’s championship, but a first-round bye to Friday’s semifinals.
Power’s squad led the country in goals per game with an average of 4.25. They allowed an average of just 0.75 goals against per game.
His career AUS coaching record, including regular and postseason games, sits at 20-3-4 heading into the 2016 championship.
“Mike has provided excellent leadership on and off the field for our women’s soccer program,” said Memorial athletic director Dr. Karen Murphy. “His commitment to excellence and passion for the game are undeniable and have enabled our student-athletes to achieve in their sport and in the classroom. To be recognized by your peers is a special acknowledgement and it is a reflection of Mike’s abilities. Mike has been a wonderful ambassador for Memorial and I congratulate him for this honour.”
In addition to his duties with the Sea-Hawks, Mike also works for the Newfoundland & Labrador Soccer Association as the director of player development. In his role with NLSA, Mike has almost a decade of experience coaching provincial all-star teams, Canada Games teams, Team Atlantic and in the Canadian youth national teams program.
Power now becomes the AUS nominee for the national coach of the year award.