Grove honored as ECAC Division III South Women's Soccer All-Star

CAPE COD, Mass. - The Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference released its 2009 Division III South Women's Soccer All-Stars and Salisbury University senior defender Hillary Grove (Hagerstown, Md.) was named to the first team. The award is the second postseason honor for Grove this year as she was also named to Capital Athletic Conference first team.

Grove has been a cornerstone for the Sea Gulls in each of the past four years as she led the team to the CAC regular season championship three times. The four-year starter has helped the Sea Gulls post a combined 0.72 goals allowed average. Salisbury allowed just 0.52 goals per game this season, due in large part to Grove's play and leadership on the field. The Hagerstown, Md., native was key in 2009 on Salisbury's set pieces, taking most of its corner kicks and free kicks. This past season, Grove scored three goals in a span of three matches, posting a career-high seven points.

The ECAC Division III South Women's Soccer All-Star team saw a total of 22 players honored and Grove was among three defenders named to the first team. There were three different programs that had three players honored to either of the teams in Frostburg State University, Johns Hopkins University and Manhattanville College. SU was one of eight programs that had one player distinguished.

The ECAC South Offensive Player of the Year went to Frostburg State junior forward Lauren Russell while the Bobcats also took home Rookie of the Year in freshman forward Amanda Wharton. Frostburg State will be joining Salisbury in the Capital Athletic Conference for the 2010 season. Johns Hopkins' senior goalie Karen Guszkowski collected Defensive Player of the Year laurels.