FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Freshman Erin Pardini was named a Fourth-Team Freshman All-American and selected to the Southeast Region All-Rookie Team while senior Kelly Renkin, pictured left, was a Third-Team All-Southeast Region selection for the second time in her career as Soccer Buzz Online Magazine announced its award winners for the 2008 season.

“We are extremely pleased to hear that both Erin and Kelly were recognized by Soccer Buzz,” UNCW head coach Paul Cairney said. “Both players played key roles in our success last season and are deserving of their respective accolades. As with any individual award though, the entire program shares in these accolades.”
A Second-Team All-CAA and CAA All-Rookie team honoree, Pardini is the program’s first Soccer Buzz Freshman All-American after finishing her rookie season tied for third on the team in scoring with 12 points (4 G, 4 A).  A two-time CAA Rookie-of-the-Week selection, Pardini led the team with three game-winning goals and was the only non-senior to start all 20 games for the Seahawks during the 2008 campaign.

“Erin is a true student of the game,” said Cairney. “She understands all in-game scenarios and always seems to make the right play, both with and without the ball. Erin is the type of player who is constantly looking to improve herself and I believe she will turn out to be an impact player in the CAA for the next three seasons.”

Renkin earned Third-Team All-Southeast Region accolades for the second time in three seasons after leading the Seahawks in scoring with 15 points (6 G, 3 A). The program’s first three-time First-Team All-CAA honoree, Renkin finished her four-year career as the program’s all-time leader in game-winning goals (13) and in the top five of the school’s all-time points (73), goals (29) and assists (15) charts.

“Kelly has truly left her mark on our program,” Cairney said. “She is one of the most competitive players I have been around and that competiveness was evident during her senior season as she made the move from the midfield to the back and performed beyond everyone expectations.”

The Seahawks finish the 2008 season with a 12-7-1 overall mark and an 8-3 conference record, winning seven of its final eight regular season contests to end the regular-season tied for second in the CAA standings and match its highest conference finish in program history. UNCW’s eight victories in conference play tied the program’s single-season mark and team ended the season one win shy of matching the school record for overall wins.

-Courtesy UNCW Sports Information Department