3 Broncs Honored by CollegeSportsMadness.com
Nichols, Cottam MAAC First Team, Mello Second Team
Not to be confused with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Conference teams, the website College Sports Madness.com selects its own all-star teams from the MAAC.
Rider senior goalkeeper Jenn Nichols (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) and senior Abi Cottam (Leominster, England/Ludlow) were named to the College Sports Madness.com MAAC All-Conference First Team, and senior Demi Mello (Mattituck, N.Y./Mattituck) was named to the Second Team.
When the MAAC announced its All-Conference awards, Cottam and junior Jennifer Meier (Sayville, NY/St. Anthony's) were First Team recipients.
"It is great to see Jenn Nichols and Demi Mello also recognized for their outstanding seasons," said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. "This was the best defensive performance in program history (0.89 goals against average) and 10th best in the history of MAAC women's soccer. As the anchor behind the defenders, Jenn had a very strong season."
Nichols tied the Rider single-season record with a MAAC-high six shutouts. Her goals against average was third best in the MAAC and her .828 save percentage ranked fourth in the MAAC.
"Demi is arguably one of the best possession based players in the conference but without statistics to go along with it, often gets overlooked in post season awards, so it fantastic for College Sports Madness to recognize her huge contribution in the team's success this year," Hounsome said.
The Broncs finished 10-4-3 overall, the most wins since 2004 and the highest winning percentage in program history (.676), and tied for fourth place in the MAAC at 5-3-1.
Cottam is a three-time All-MAAC honoree, twice on the First Team.
"Abi is one of the most dangerous attackers in the conference and even when singled out for special defensive attention still managed to play a major role in the team's success," Hounsome said.
Cottam was an All-District selection as a junior, leading the entire MAAC in goals, assists and points, and was a marked woman this year, often being shadowed by one or two players at all times every game.
Due to the constant attention she attracted this year, Cottam's scoring was down but she led the MAAC in assists.
Cottam graduates as the Rider career assist lead and ranks third in both career goal sand points, despite missing most of her freshman season with an injury.
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