Williams Named Rookie of the Year, Hewson Coach of the Year as Five Eagles Named to All-CAC Women's Soccer Team

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - Christopher Newport senior Gabby Gillis became the sixth player in Capital Athletic Conference history to secure multiple Player of the Year awards after receiving the honor for the second-straight season in 2018, highlighting the All-CAC Women's Soccer squad. 

Gillis joined an elite club of multiple Player of the Year winners that includes St. Mary's Gillian Sawyer (2015 & 2016), Frostburg State's Adria Graham (2011 & 2012) and the Mary Washington trio of Ellen Anderson (1999 & 2000), Stefanie Teter (1993, 1994 & 1995), and Kelly Walsh (1992 & 1993). Additionally, Gillis has now earned all-conference distinction each of her four years as a Captain, including three straight first-team nods. 

Mary Washington's Gracie Williams and Corey Hewson garnered the other major awards, headlining a group of five All-CAC spots for the CAC runner-up Eagles. Williams was named Rookie of the Year, becoming the fifth UMW player in conference history to receive top rookie laurels. Hewson earned Coach of the Year for the second time, with the other occuring in 2009. 

Highlighted by Gillis, CAC champion CNU led the way with nine honorees on the All-CAC squad, the highest all-star representation on one team in conference history. The previous record was eight, set by Mary Washington in 1995 and 1996. Joining Gillis on the first team were a pair of prior Rookies of the Year in junior defender Keiley McCarthy and Riley Cook. McCarthy, the 2016 Rookie of the Year, earned her third-straight first-team All-CAC nod, while Cook, last year's top rookie, was a repeat first-teamer. A trio of CNU sophomores garnered all-conference recognition for the first time as first-team selections - midfielder Maxine Borris, defender Lulu Manley, and goalkeeper Haley Eiser. 

A trio of Captains landed on the second team, led by three-time All-CAC pick Carson Pokorny, a junior forward. Junior defender Shaye Doherty and freshman midfielder Abby Harrigan also picked up second team accolades for CNU. 

Mary Washington collected five spots on the All-CAC team. In addition to being Rookie of the Year, Gracie Williams also secured first-team all-conference honors along with junior midfielder Corinne Carson and freshman forward Abby Zimmerman. Second-team honorees for UMW included sophomore midfielder Brooke Bauman and freshman forward Lindsey Hendrickson. Bauman was also a second-team pick in 2017. 

Salisbury, St. Mary's and Penn State Harrisburg each placed three on the all-star team. Salisbury claimed a pair of first-team all-stars - junior forward Julianna Boller and junior defender Jenna Beck. Freshman midfielder Ally Goetz represented the Sea Gulls on the second team. 

St. Mary's also secured a pair of spots on the All-CAC first team, with senior defender Lauren Hall and sophomore forward Alex Moody earning all-conference nods for the first time in their careers. Senior goalkeeper Katie Flores rounded out the Seahawks' all-stars as a second-team pick. Flores was also a second-teamer in 2015. 

The Penn State Harrisburg trio of junior midfielder Madison Hemler, junior defender Mackenzie Haladay, and freshman midfielder Kaeleigh Smedley each landed on the second team for the Lions. Hemler was also a second-team honoree in 2017. 

York senior midfielder Caitlin Rankin earned her second-straight All-CAC recognition, this time securing first-team honors. Rankin was a second-team selection in 2017. Spartan freshman defender Jenna Cholowinski collected second-team accolades. 

Frostburg State and Southern Virginia each captured one position on the All-CAC team, with Frostburg State junior forward Jesse Dunagan and Southern Virginia senior forward Jamilla Anderson both collecting second-team recognition.