Nov 13, 2009 By Herald Standard Staff 2 min read

Soccer California University of Pa.’s Amanda Heister became the Vulcans’ first women’s soccer player to be honored as the PSAC-West Athlete of the Year after leading the conference in points (38), points per game (1.81), goals (17), and goals per game (.81), and ranking second in game-winning goals with six. Heister helped lead California to their first-ever PSAC West title and a spot in the PSAC Tournament semifinals, as well as their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. She is also Cal’s first-ever PSAC West Athlete of the Year, as entering the NCAA Tournament this weekend, she leads the PSAC in points (38), points per game (1.81), goals (17) and goals per game (0.81), and is second in game-winning goals with six. Her selection to the first-team as a forward was her first after three second-team nods.

Joining her on the first team was teammate Sam Regney (midfielder), while Kayla Klimasko (back) and Paula Jackson (goalkeeper) were second-team picks.

Al Alvine was rewarded for the Vulcans’ first trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs with PSAC-West Coach of the Year.

Macioce recognized

Washington & Jefferson College’s Molly Macioce was named by the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as the female Athlete of the Month for November.

The Laurel Highlands graduate has a 3.60 GPA as a business major. Macioce has helped the Presidents to back-to-back PAC championships.

Football PSAC-West all-conference

California University of Pa. led the way with 17 players selected to the PSAC-West All-Conference team.

Defensive lineman Willie Walker was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, while defensive back Rontez Miles was selected as the PSAC-West Freshman of the Year.

The Vulcans selected to the first-team were Dontey Brown (linebacker),Brett Diamond (linebacker), AJ Jackson (wide receiver), Cha’Mar Jones (offensive lineman), Dan Jordan (offensive lineman), and Terrance Moore (wide receiver).

Miles, Windell Brown (running back), Freddie Bacco (running back), Chedrick Cherry (wide receiver), Marcus Cook (defensive lineman), Derek Firenze (punter), Brandon Gordon (defensive lineman), Nick Piccirrillo (center), and Josh Portis (quarterback) were all second-team selections.

The Vulcans will host Fayetteville (N.C.) State Saturday at noon in the opening round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.