6 Falcons Recognized in Region 8 Post Season Awards; Dane Honorary 1st Team Selection
Last week the Region 8 coaches voted on NJCAA All-Region Selections for the 2020-21 Spring season. Because this season saw a drop in the number of teams within the Region 8 conference, there were only 1st team selections, players of the years, and honorable mentions (removing second-team accolades).
Ericka Dane (Ormond Beach, FL) was recognized as an Honorary First-Team Selection to memorialize her contributions to the game and the mark she made within the team prior to the beginning of play.
Elena Diaz Trujillo (Freshman, Barcelona, Spain) was voted as the Freshman of the Year. In seven games, Diaz had a total of 7 points for the season, scoring 3 goals (2 game-winning), and assisting 1. She is the first Falcon to receive this award in its 5-year history.
Sophomore Midfielder, Megan Sheehan (Cork, Ireland) and Sophomore centerback, Marisa Lee (Fort Pierce, FL), were also selected to the First Team. Sheehan, who will be moving on to Middle-Tennessee State University for the Fall, had a total of 6 points for the season, scoring 2 goals, and assisting 2. In her short time at Daytona State, Megan played in all but one game and played a pivotal role within the Falcons' midfield in the 2019 season and into the conference finals. Marisa Lee started in all games this Spring season as an anchor in the backline next to Courtney Magnan. Lee scored 1 goal this season on a set-piece against Polk State. Lee will use her extra year of eligibility and return to Daytona for the 2021 Fall season.
Within the conference, there were four additional players recognized as Honorable Mentions this season, two from Daytona State, Sophomore Captain, Nia Collins (Lake Mary, FL), and Freshman Tilde Sandberg (Fågelmara, Sweden). Nia will be transferring onto the University of South Carolina-Aiken for the '21 Fall season, scored 1 goal this season, and was selected by her peers to be team captain. Tilde, played as both an outside back and wide forward this season.
"I'm very happy for the players who have been recognized for their efforts and contributions on the field. As a wise Brittany Jones would say, 'Individual awards are always a great testament to the work rate and performance of our whole team. Without the commitment of the group to develop, those individual players would not be pushed to perform to their maximum capacity.' I am excited for the players who are moving on to their new homes and excited to see what the returning group does this Fall. There is a lot of talent, drive, and dedication within these rising Sophomores and Juniors, so the sky is the limit. This team is an incredibly special group and one that I am proud and grateful to have had the privilege to lead and be part of," said Coach Maggie Manville.
Sophomore Captains, Cassandra Bodi (Goalkeeper; Vero Beach, FL) and Courtney Magnan (Weston, FL) will be moving on to Montevallo University (DII) and Valdosta State University (DII) for the fall season.
The Falcons will return in August to prepare for their competitive season that will kick off mid-month. Daytona State is also set to host the NJCAA Women's Soccer National Tournament in November 2021.