TOWSON, Md. --- The Landmark Conference has named 51 student-athletes including six from Moravian College to the 2015 Fall All-Sportsmanship Team. The All-Sportsmanship Team includes one student-athlete from each institution for each sport and is selected by the players and coaches from their respective team.
The All-Sportsmanship Team recognizes student-athletes who epitomize the ideals of sportsmanship. The student-athletes selected demonstrate fair play, graciousness in victory and respectfulness in defeat. They are ambassadors for the team, both on and off the field, and galvanize their teammates toward their goals. These student-athletes exhibit respect for themselves, teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, spectators, and the greater campus community.
Of the 51 student-athletes on the All-Sportsmanship Team, 12 were named All-Landmark. Five student-athletes are repeat selections from a year ago, and were described as leaders and difference-makers on their teams.
The All-Sportsmanship Team was created by the Landmark Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in 2013 as a way to highlight student-athletes who are making an impact. The Landmark previously awarded a Sportsmanship Cup before the All-Sportsmanship Team replaced the Cup for the 2013-14 academic year.
Men's Soccer
Sophomore midfielder Connor Phillips is the men's soccer team's selection to the All-Sportsmanship Team. Phillips led the Greyhounds in scoring in his first year with the program as he netted seven goals and added four assists for 18 points while starting 17 of 18 matches. Phillips also had a pair of game-winning goals for the Greyhounds this fall.
"Connor embodies what a Moravian soccer player should be," commented Head Coach Todd Ervin. "His work rate, technical ability, will to win and overall team first mentality made him an instrumental part of the program this year. Not only is Connor a very talented player, but he makes everyone around him better by demanding the best out of each and every person on the team."
Women's Soccer
Senior goalie Jacqueline Zalis has been named to the Landmark All-Sportsmanship Team as the representative for the Moravian women's soccer squad. Zalis started all 17 matches in goal for the Greyhounds this season as the squad earned a berth in the 2015 Landmark Conference Tournament. She posted a 1.46 goals-against average with 72 saves and five shutouts in 1,544 minutes of action. Zalis finished her career fourth in minutes played at 3,895, fourth in shutouts with nine, fifth in saves with 180 and fifth in goals-against average at 1.29.
"Jackie is one of the hardest workers in the program and also one of the best teammates as well," stated Head Coach Jeff Ykoruk. "She always has a positive mindset and she played a big role in us getting into the playoffs. We will have a hard time replacing the great player and person she is and I'm proud to have coached her for the last two seasons."
Field Hockey
Junior goalie Megan Kanyuk is the field hockey team's 2015 recipient of the All-Sportsmanship honor. Kaynuk played all 1,260 minutes in goal for Moravian this fall and had a school-record 210 saves while posting two shutouts. She is fourth in school history with 302 career saves.
"I am very pleased to see that Megan is representing Moravian field fockey on the Landmark Conference All-Sportsmanship Team," noted Head Coach Amy Endler. "Every time Megan stepped on the field, she displayed respect for her opponents, officials, and teammates. Being a goal keeper is not an easy job, constantly facing fierce competitors trying to do anything to get the ball in the cage. Megan handled it all with class and sportsmanship. We are very proud of her."
Volleyball
Senior defensive specialist Andrea Giardina was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team from Moravian volleyball for the third year. Giardina contributed 92 digs, 10 service aces and six assists for the Greyhounds this fall as they posted an 18-15 mark. She finished her career with 667 digs, 70 assists, 46 service aces and 12 kills while seeing action in 123 matches of the last four years.
"Andi has been such a joy to coach," stated Head Coach Shelley Bauder. "She has been both a wonderful teammate and captain this year, and she earned this award by a unanimous vote."
Cross Country
Sophomore Kirsten Lebo is the women's cross country honoree on the All-Sportsmanship Team. Lebo ran a time of 27:07.75 to help the Greyhounds at the 2015 Landmark Conference Championships run at Sunken Meadow State Park in New York on October 31.
"Kirsten is very engaging, energetic, and positive with anyone she interacts with," commented Head Coach Jesse Baumann. "She is a tough competitor but does so with the utmost respect of those who she is going against. She's a great asset for our program."
Freshman Aaron Hofmann was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team for the men's cross country program. He posted a time of 32:29.11 at the Landmark Championships to cap off his first year with the Greyhounds.
"Aaron is a big fan of the sport, very respectful, mature, supportive, and has a strong work ethic," Baumann explained. "He's a great representative of our program and we're fortunate to have him on our team."