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November 7, 2008
For immediate release

BAY CITY, Mich. -- Grand Valley State University senior forward Katy Tafler (Mississauga, Ontario/Cawthra Park) was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) women's soccer "Offensive Player of the Year" for the third consecutive season in balloting conducted by the league's coaches.

Grand Valley State junior defender Natalja Stanski (Tecumseh, Ontario/St. Anne) earned the "Defensive Player of the Year" award, while Tiffin University midfielder Shelly Rogers (Shelby Twp., Mich./Utica Eisenhower) was honored with the league's "Freshman of the Year" award. GVSU's Dave DiIanni was named "Coach of the Year" for the second-straight season by his peers.

Tafler earns her third consecutive GLIAC "Offensive Player of the Year" award after leading Grand Valley State in points and goals for the fourth consecutive season, tallying 17 goals, 12 assists and 46 points. Her last assist made her the only player in GLIAC history to record at least 40 goals and 40 assists (111/40), and just the 17th person to do so in Division II history. She is the GLIAC's all-time leader in goals, assists and points. Through the end of the regular season in Division II, Tafler ranks 16th in points per game (2.42), 12th in assists per game (0.63) and 25th in goals per game (.895). In her career, she is also GVSU's all-time leader in both goals (111) and points (262). Those totals rank her third and fourth, respectively, in Division II history. She is the two-time defending Daktronics Division II Player of the Year and a two-time All-American (both Daktronics and NSCAA). She has also been recognized for her academics, as she was recently named a member of the 2008 ESPN the Magazine All-District IV Academic First Team.

Stanski shifted from midfield to defense over the offseason and responded by anchoring the second-ranked scoring defense in Division II. In large part because of her defense, GVSU also ranked first in shutout percentage (.842) and was the only undefeated team in Division II. The Lakers have allowed just four goals all season, averaging out to .21 goals-against per game. Stanski and the Lakers have also held opponents to just 41 shots on goal through 19 matches, just more than two shots on goal per contest. In conference play, the Lakers allowed just two goals throughout the season, and never more than one in a match. She has also been recognized for her academics, as she was recently named a member of the 2008 ESPN the Magazine All-District IV Academic First Team.

Rogers has made a significant impact for the Dragons in her first season with the team. Rogers leads the team with eight goals and nine assists for 25 points over 18 games. She leads Tiffin in shots (51) and shots on goal (30), while posting two game-winning goals this year (Indianapolis, Findlay). Her best match of the season came against Northwood (Oct. 12) when she totaled two goals and a pair of assists.

DiIanni earns the "Coach of the Year" award for the second consecutive year and the third time in the past four seasons. He coached the Lakers to their second consecutive perfect regular season (19-0) and their second season ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA/adidas national poll. Under DiIanni's guidance, the Lakers have posted a record of 110-13-4 (.882) and have won 27 straight conference matches (t-3rd in Division II history) dating back to Sept. 29, 2006. GVSU has also earned a point in 40 consecutive home matches (t-4th in Division II history) dating back to Sept. 4, 2005. This season, Grand Valley State has posted 16 shutouts through 19 matches, which is two shutouts away from the Division II single-season record. His .882 winning percentage makes him the third-winningest coach in Division II history.

Joining Tafler and Stanski on the 2008 All-GLIAC women's soccer first team are: junior forward Irie Dennis, senior forward Ashley Elsass, sophomore midfielder Kristen Eible, senior midfielder Meaghan Robinson, sophomore defender Jenna Wenglinski, senior defender Elena Sobolic, and senior goal keeper Kristina Nasturzio of Grand Valley State; senior midfielder Stephanie Roy of Saginaw Valley State University; and senior defender Meghan Sarna of Northern Michigan University.

The complete listing of the 2008 All-GLIAC women's soccer teams and postseason awards are listed below.