Nov. 1, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Coming off the best offensive season in the history of the Saint Joseph's women's soccer program, senior forward Ali Wean was recognized by the Atlantic 10 as the conference's Offensive Player of the Year. Wean also earned All-Conference First Team honors, while classmate Kimmy Leigh was selected to the All-Conference Second Team as voted on by the A-10 coaches.

"We are extremely happy to see Ali and Kimmy honored for their hard work and dedication throughout the season," said Saint Joseph's head coach Jess Reynolds. "They both contributed greatly to the team's success and formed one of the more dynamic attacks in the conference."

In her final season wearing the Crimson and Gray, Wean set new single-season marks in goals and points. Her 14 goals and 33 points broke the previous records of 12 and 30, respectively, set by Ellen Stenrud in 1997. Wean finished the season as the A-10 leader in goals, goals per game (0.86), points, points per game (1.94). Besides leading SJU in goals and points, she also topped the team in assists with five assists. Wean finished her career second all-time in Saint Joseph's history in points (57), goals (23) and tied for third in assists (11).

"Ali was very focused on having her senior year be her best and she reached that goal," Reynolds said. "She has always been recognized by our team as our `go-to player', but we are glad to see her spectacular play was recognized by the Atlantic 10 coaches."

For the second consecutive season, Leigh earned All-Second Team honors. Arguably the team's vocal leader, the senior co-captain finished second on the Hawks in assists (four), fourth in points (eight) and fifth in goals (two). A four-year starter, Leigh finished her SJU career tied for third all-time in assists (11) and tied for 10th in points (23).

"Kimmy was the backbone of our attack," said Reynolds. "Her creativity and technical ability is among the best in the league and I'm delighted she was acknowledged for that."

Wean, who is the first player in Saint Joseph's history to earn Offensive Player of the Year honors, is joined on the All-Conference First Team by Maureen Hughes and Dee Guempel of Saint Louis, Mandi Back and Kristen Persichini of Dayton, Debra Nelson of Rhode Island, Fordham's Leah Jerome, La Salle's Jenna Guagenti, and Massachusett's Kristin Walker. Leigh was joined on the A-10 All-Second Team by Saint Louis' Julia Brandenberg and Mary Green, Charlotte's Nikki Labuda and Kelsie Ormsby, Rhode Island's Dora Larusdottir and Molly Parkhurst, Duquesne's Emily Sedgwick and Audra Matthews, Katie Sanchez of Fordham and Amy Grant of La Salle.