Virginia's Nikki Krzysik repeats as Soccer Buzz Region Player of the Year

Virginia senior defender Nikki Krzysik (Clifton, N.J.) was named the Soccer Buzz Mid Atlantic Region Player of the Year and was named a first-team All-American, the publication announced Tuesday. Forward Lauren Alwine (Elizabethtown, Pa.) was named Mid Atlantic Region Freshman of the Year and Steve Swanson was named Mid Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.

Krzysik played every minute to anchor a Cavalier defense that posted nine shutouts and allowed just 5.1 shots per game. Offensively, she added three goals and three assists. Krzysik was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned first team All-ACC for the second consecutive season. She was a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy and a first-team NSCAA All-American.

Sophomore midfielder Sinead Farrelly (Havertown, Pa.) was named a third-team All-American by Soccer Buzz, along with garnering first-team all-region honors.  She started every game for Virginia this past season, earning first-team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive year.

Alwine became the fourth Cavalier to be named Soccer Buzz Mid-Atlantic Region Freshman of the Year. She led the ACC in assists with 14 during her rookie campaign, which also tied the Cavaliers’ single season record. Alwine was selected a second-team Freshman All-American by Soccer Buzz and a first-team All-Mid Atlantic Region selection.

Swanson becomes the first Virginia coach to be named the Soccer Buzz Region Coach of the Year. He led the Cavaliers to a 15-5-3 record this season and a fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA round of 16.

Joining Krzysik, Farrelly and Alwine (who were all first team selections) on the All-Mid Atlantic Region squad were three other Cavaliers. Sophomore forward Meghan Lenczyk (McLean, Va.) and senior defender Sarah Senty (Arlington, Va.) were second-team selections and junior midfielder Jess Rostedt (Kent, Ohio) was a third-team selection. Forward/midfielder Maggie Kistner (St. Louis, Mo.) was a fourth-team Freshman All-American and a Mid Atlantic Region All-Freshman team selection.

Also released on Tuesday was the VaSID (Virginia Sports Information Directors) All-State team. Krzysik was named Co-State Player of the Year, while Alwine, Farrelly and Senty were second-team all-state selections.