Orlando, Fla. - Lynn University's women's soccer team received three All-Sunshine State Conference selections on Thursday, the most for the program since 2005. Melissa Ortiz garnered first team accolades and Mindy DeCara second team honors for the second consecutive year while Brittany Evernden earned honorable mention recognition.
Ortiz tied for the conference lead with 14 goals but stood alone with an SSC-high 37 points. The sophomore forward also finished within the top-three for assists after tying a career mark with nine. She tallied points in 14 of 18 games played and logged one multi-assist and three multi-goal games. Her best match came against Eckerd when she notched her third career hat trick and tied a personal best with seven points.
DeCara anchored a defense which posted seven shutouts, the most for LU since 2000. A punishing defender despite her 4-foot-10 stature, she has been a part of 17 shutouts since joining the defensive ranks three years ago.
Evernden enjoyed a remarkable year after returning from a season-ending knee injury. The redshirt junior tied for the conference lead with a career-high 10 assists while also setting personal bests for points (18).
Forward Teresa Brantley of Florida Tech was named the Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Rollins' defender Meagan Thomas received Defensive Player of the Year honors with forward Melissa Madrid of Barry garnering Freshman of the Year accolades and Rollins' Tony Amato being selected Coach of the Year.
Lynn went 9-9 under first-year head coach Chip Dutchik, advancing to the SSC Tournament for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time overall.
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