Winter sports are warming up, and they have an impressive fall season to live up to. Two Maroons hung up their Chicago cleats with All-American selections, capping off an 18-3-2 season and a postseason run that lasted to the national semifinals
Over break the National Soccer Coaches Association of America named fourth-year midfielder Jacqui De Leon and fourth-year defender Diana Connett first and second teams All-American December 12. Their selections to the team mark the second All-American certificates for both athletes.
Picked for the All-American second team in 2004 and first team in 2005, De Leon was crucial to the Maroons’ offense this season. She led the team as well as the UAA in assists with 10 on the year, and she holds Chicago’s career record for the most assists with 29. De Leon could also be counted on to perform in clutch situations, netting three goals with two of them for game-winners.
Connett was a leading force in a dominating Chicago defense that shut down opponents in the Maroons’ half. In 23 games they allowed only 13 goals and collected 13 shutouts. Connett made the All-American second team for the first time in 2003.
In addition to the All-American honors, Connett and De Leon share All-Central Region first team selection with fourth-year forward Renee Neuner.
An All-American first team member and Division III player of the year in 2003, Neuner was an offensive powerhouse throughout her career. She led the Maroons in 2005 in goals with 18 and in shooting percentage with a .391 average. Neuner leaves Chicago the all-time leader in goals with 78 and in points with 171.
Connett, De Leon, and Neuner join only three other players in women’s soccer history at Chicago who have earned All-American accolades. Connett and De Leon are the only two to be so recognized twice in their careers.
Representatives of the NCAA tournament-qualifying men’s soccer and the UAA champion football squad also received All-Region honors.
Three men’s soccer players earned spots on the All-North Central Region team. Fourth-year midfielder Giordano Palloni and fourth-year defender Peter Schlaefer made first team with fourth-year midfielder Joe Frontczak named to the third team.
Pallioni and Frontczak combined were Chicago’s offense backbone. Palloni tallied four goals and led the team in assists with 8, while Frontczak netted 10 goals for the most on the squad.
Schlaefer’s work on defense helped limit opponents to 18 goals in 20 matches with nine shutouts.
Football’s fourth-year cornerback Colin Carrier and fourth-year defensive tackle Rob Tamillow’s selection to the All-North Region second team complete Chicago’s fall honors.
Carrier picked off 10 passes to lead the team and the division in interceptions per game. He graduates holding the modern era career record for interceptions with 15.
Named the UAA Defensive Player of the Year, Tamillow finished the season second in the nation in tackles-for-loss per game with 2.5 and fifth in sacks per game with 1.2. He set new Chicago records for tackles-for-loss with 24 and sacks with 12.
