April 26, 2008

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Senior driver Carla Martinez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) was named a first team All-MAAC selection for the second straight year on Saturday evening when the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced its water polo all-conference teams and postseason award winners. The league held its annual postseason banquet at Marist tonight during the conference tournament.

Despite missing five matches during the season Martinez still came within one goal of leading the team in scoring for the second straight season. She finished the year with 51 goals, seven assists and 58 points. She ranked second on the squad in both goals and points. Martinez also took a majority of the Wildcats center sprints and won 31 of her 65 opportunities.

Martinez played in 22 of the 27 Villanova matches during the season and her 2.3 goals per game were a team best. She also ranked among the national scoring leaders late in the season. Martinez had an impressive finish to the season, scoring 13 goals over four matches during the final weekend of the regular season.

The strong play this season by Martinez capped off an outstanding collegiate career for the Wildcats top driver. Her 51 goals this season were a career-high for a single-season and she ended her career with 150 career goals and 64 assists.

Seven players were honored on the All-MAAC first team and eight other earned second team mention. The league also announced its postseason award winners. Lauren Peterson (Iona) was named the Offensive Player of the Year, while Kathleen Link (Iona) and Maggie Hatcher (Marist) shared Defensive Player of the Year honors. Maggie Wood (Iona) was named the Rookie of the Year and former Villanova standout Ellen Howe (Siena) took home the Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year award.

The Wildcats were 3-24 this season and saw their streak of five consecutive postseason appearances come to and end.