Nov. 5, 2008

DENTON, TX - The Sun Belt Conference named Florida Atlantic University forward Laura Hyvonen its women's soccer "Newcomer of the Year." It marks the second-straight season an FAU player has won the award. The transfer from Vantaa, Finland, joined teammates Jannica Tjeder and Ashley Mannarino on the Sun Belt's list of all-conference honorees.

In her first collegiate season in the U.S., Hyvonen's knack for scoring goals was essential in a five-match FAU win-streak during the month of October, elevating the Owls to a fifth-place finish in the 11-team conference standings.

Hyvonen enters today's conference tournament match with Middle Tennessee State third among all league players in goals (6) and sixth in points scored (12). She has scored in four consecutive matches - putting 13 shots on goal and scoring five times in FAU's last four outings.

Tjeder and Mannarino were both named to the All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team. Tjeder, the 2007 SBC "Newcomer of the Year," was recognized as one of the league's top midfielders. Mannarino, a forward from Boca Raton, proved to be one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league, netting four game-winning goals and totaling 32 shots.

Player of the Year:
Taryn Hemmings (DU, Sr., F)

Newcomer of the Year:
Laura Hyvonen (FAU, So., F)

Freshman of the Year:
Shan Jones (MT, Fr., F)

Co-Coaches of the Year:
Thomas Chestnutt, FIU
Jeff Hooker, Denver

2008 All-Sun Belt First Team:
Taryn Hemmings (DU, Sr., F)
Shan Jones (MT, Fr., F)
Kelsey Perlman (NT, Fr., F)
Kendall Juett (NT, Jr., M)
Lizzy Carlson (DU, Jr., MF)
Kellie Walker (WKU, Jr., M)
Morgan Thomas (WKU, Jr., D)
Kelli Lunsford (NT, Jr., D)
Rachel Friedman (WKU, Jr., D)
Jessi Keller (DU, Sr., D)
Libby Stout (WKU, Fr., GK)


2008 All-Sun Belt Second Team:
Brandi Smith (USA, Fr., F)
Ashley Mannarino (FAU, Jr., F)
Kristin Cocchiarella (WKU, Sr., F)
Vanessa Mueggler (MT, So., M)
Jannica Tjeder (FAU, Sr., M)
Veronica Ayala (NT, Sr., M)
Bria Beardsley (DU, Fr., M)
Kelly Tarrant (USA, Sr., M)
Fran Howells (MT, So., D)
Carrie Blankenbuhler (DU, Sr., D)
Katrina Rose (FIU, Fr., D)
Mackenzie Snyder (DU, Jr., GK)