Athlete of the Week: Ali Miller (Women's Soccer)
November 7, 2011
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By Emily Nassi - UD Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant
Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
NEWARK, Del. -- Junior forward Ali Miller, who led the Blue Hen women's soccer team to a strong finish in the regular season and a victory in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament last week, is the National 5 & 10 Stores Inc. Best of the Blue Hens Athlete of the Week for Nov. 7.
Miller, a Spanish education major with a minor in business administration, capped an outstanding season by leading the Blue Hens into the CAA Tournament at William & Mary and scoring goal in both tournament games. For her efforts, she also earned a spot on the CAA All-Tournament team.
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The No. 4 seed Blue Hens, led by veteran head coach Scott Grzenda, knocked off No. 5 seed Hofstra 1-0 in the quarterfinals and led top-seed, host, and 25th-ranked William & Mary 1-0 in the first half before falling 2-1 in the semifinals.
The Tribe went on to capture the league title and earn the league's automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
Delaware, making its first post-season appearance since 2005, won a post-season game for the first time since a shootout victory over William & Mary in the CAA quarterfinals in 2005.
“Being in the tournament this year meant so much to my teammates and me,” Miller said. “Every year our goal is to make it to the tournament and earn ourselves the trophy. Being the first team to make it there in six years was a great accomplishment and I'm so proud of our team for working as hard as we did to make it there.”
The Blue Hens finished the season with an overall record of 10-7-4, its highest win total since that 2005 campaign, and the team's fourth place finish in the league standings was its highest since a third place showing, also in 2005.
Miller, a native of Sinking Spring, Pa. (Wilson High School), enjoyed an outstanding season that saw her earn first team All-CAA honors, sharing the accolades with senior teammate Amy Pickard.
Miller started all 21 games for the Blue Hens this season and led the team with 14 goals, tying the UD single season record of 14 established by Kristy Hendrickson in 1994. She also led the team with 90 shots and five game-winning goals.
Miller, who now owns 21 career goals to rank No. 6 all-time in school history, scored the team's lone goal in the CAA quarterfinal win over Hofstra Thursday night as she tallied with 20 minutes left in the seconds half to lead UD to the 1-0 victory.
In the semifinal game vs. William & Mary on Friday evening, Miller staked the Hens to a 1-0 lead as she scored just eight minutes into the contest. Unfortunately, the Hens could not muster any more offense and fell to the host Tribe 2-1.
Miller said this year’s success could be attributed to the team’s persistent effort.
“This season was hands down the best season we've had since I've played for Delaware,” she said. “I think the team worked amazing together this year and we found out the rewards of hard work. It's such a shame for us that we fell one game short of the championship, but I could not be prouder of everyone for leaving everything they had on the field this year. I can't wait for us to get the trophy like we deserve to next season.”
Past Weekly Winners:
2011-12 Season
Nov. 7 - Ali Miller (Women's Soccer)
Oct. 31 - Andrew Pierce (Football)
Oct. 24 - Noelle Diana (Field Hockey)
Oct. 17 - Lindsay Prettyman (Women's Cross Country)
Oct. 10 - Kim Stewart (Volleyball)
Oct. 3 - Breanna Stemler (Women's Soccer)
Sept. 26 - Roberto Gimenez (Men's Soccer)
Sept. 19 - Tim Donnelly (Football)
Sept. 12 - Amy Pickard (Women's Soccer)
Sept. 6 - Tory Sharpless (Field Hockey)
Aug. 29 - Evans Frimpong (Men's Soccer)
2010-11 Season
May 16 - Vicky Caruso (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
May 9 - John Viotto (Men's Outdoor Track & Field)
May 2 - Novice Eights Crew (Women's Rowing)
Apr. 25 - Kalyn McDonough (Women's Lacrosse)
Apr. 18 - Ivana Petrich (Women's Tennis)
Apr. 11 - Amanda Stacevicz (Softball)
Apr. 4 - Kevin McLister (Golf)
Mar. 28 - Steve Ulaky (Baseball)
Mar. 21 - Grant Kaleikau (Men's Lacrosse)
Mar. 14 - Danielle Parker (Women's Basketball)
Mar. 7 - Vicky Caruso (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Feb. 28 - Ryan Roberts (Men's Swimming)
Feb. 21 - Devon Saddler (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 14 - Eric Smith (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 7 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Jan. 31 - Cortney Barry (Women's Swimming)
Jan. 24 - Vicky Caruso (Women's Indoor Track)
Jan. 17 - Ryan Roberts (Men's Swimming)
Jan. 10 - Zach Schiavo (Men's Swimming)
Jan. 3 - Jamelle Hagins (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 27 - Jaquetta May (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 20 - Chris Morales (Football)
Dec. 13 - Anthony Walters (Football)
Dec. 6 - Mark Schenauer (Football)
Nov. 29 - Jawan Carter (Men's Basketball)
Nov. 22 - Katie Dennehy (Volleyball)
Nov. 15 - Pat Devlin (Football)
Nov. 8 - Courtney Hewitt (Men's Soccer)
Nov. 1 - Brandon Paul (Men's Soccer)
Oct. 25 - Breanna Stemler (Women's Soccer)
Oct. 18 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Oct. 11 - Melissa LeNoir (Field Hockey)
Oct. 4 - Samantha Carnall (Women's Tennis)
Sept. 27 - Robby Kay (Men's Tennis)
Sept. 20 - Steve Vincent (Men's Cross Country)
Sept. 13 - Andrew Pierce (Football)
Sept. 6 - Paige Erickson (Volleyball)
Aug. 30 - Alissa Alker (Volleyball)
2009-10 Season
May 30 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
May 23 - Brian Rorick (Baseball)
May 16 - Vicky Caruso (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
May 9 - Noah Fossner (Men's Lacrosse)
May 2 - Chase Renoll (Men's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 26 - Varsity Fours Crew (Rowing)
Apr. 19 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Apr. 12 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Apr. 5 - Carlos Alonso (Baseball)
Mar. 28 - Austin Longacre & Andre Vorobyov (Men's Tennis)
Mar. 21 - Michelle Grap (Softball)
Mar.14 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Mar. 7 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track)
Feb. 28 - Hans Gillan (Men's Swimming)
Feb. 21 - Curtis Dickson (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 14 - Erika Bilenki (Women's Diving)
Feb. 7 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track)
Jan. 31 - Hannah Facchine (Women's Swimming)
Jan. 24 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Jan. 17 - Hans Gillan - Men's Swimming
Jan. 10 - Vicky Caruso - Women's Indoor Track & Field
Jan. 3 - Alphonso Dawson (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 28 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 21 - Kelvin McNeil (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 14 - Elena Delle Donne (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 7 - Grady Carter (Men's Swimming)
Nov. 30 - Lauren Carra (Women's Basketball)
Nov. 23 - Pat Devlin (Football)
Nov. 16 - Michelle LaLonde (Volleyball)
Nov. 9 - Noelle Diana (Field Hockey)
Nov. 2 - Chris Bourke (Men's Cross Country)
Oct. 25 - Elena Berry (Women's Tennis)
Oct. 18 - Jessie Ermak (Women's Cross Country)
Oct. 11 - Kevin McLister (Golf)
Oct. 4 - Darren Christie (Men's Soccer)
Sept. 28 - Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
Sept. 21 - Chris Bourke (Men's Cross Country)
Sept. 14 - Charles Graves (Football)
Sept. 7 - Casey Howard (Field Hockey)
2008-09 Season
June 1 - Kelli McDonald (Women's Track & Field)
May 25 - Bill Merkler (Baseball)
May 18 - Ryan Cuneo (Baseball)
May 11 - Novice Fours Crew (Women's Rowing)
May 4 - Jessica Cerveny (Women's Lacrosse)
Apr. 26 - John Hally (Men's Track & Field)
Apr. 19 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Track & Field)
Apr. 12 - Curtis Dickson (Men's Lacrosse)
Apr. 5 - Stephanie Allen (Women's Lacrosse)
Mar. 29 - Michelle Grap (Softball)
Mar. 22 - Justin Martinson (Golf)
Mar. 15 - Ryan Reed (Baseball)
Mar. 8 - Amanda Marshall (Women's Indoor Track& Field)
Mar. 1 - Hans Gillan (Men's Swimming)
Feb. 22 - Karen Mandrachia (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Feb. 15 - Curtis Dickson (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 8 - Marc Egerson (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 1 - John Viotto (Men's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 25 - Matt Abbruzzese (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Jan. 19 - Christina Antonopoulos (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 12 - Hans Gillan (Men's Swimming)
Jan. 5 - Marc Egerson (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 29 - Tesia Harris (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 21 - D.J. Boney (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 14 - Jawan Carter (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 7 - Maryann Walker (Women's Swimming)
Nov. 30 - Jess Chason (Volleyball)
Nov. 23 - Christina Antonopoulos (Women's Cross Country)
Nov. 16 - Tesia Harris (Women's Basketball)
Nov. 9 - Katie Dennehy (Volleyball)
Nov. 2 - Andy Streilein (Men's Soccer)
Oct. 25 - Junior Jabbie (Football)
Oct. 18 - Caitlyn Germain (Women's Soccer)
Oct. 11 - Grady Carter (Men's Swimming)
Oct. 5 - Colin Smith (Golf)
Sept. 29 - Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
Sept. 22 - Andre Vorobyov (Men's Tennis)
Sept. 15 - Colin Smith (Golf)
Sept. 8 - Amanda Campbell (Women's Tennis)
Sept. 1 - Anthony Walters (Football)
2007-08 Season
May 19 - Asha Quant (Women's Outdoor Track)
May 12 - Novice Eights (Women's Rowing)
May 5 - David Slovak (Baseball)
Apr. 28 - Joe Flacco (Football)
Apr. 21 - Chase Renoll (Men's Outdoor Track & Field)
Apr. 14 - Tommy Ellison (Golf)
Apr. 7 - Susan Pollack (Women's Tennis)
Mar. 31 - Emily Schaknowski (Women's Lacrosse)
Mar. 24 - Asha Quant (Women's Outdoor Track & Field)
Mar. 16 - Anne Marie Pagano (Softball)
Mar. 9 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Mar. 2 - Andrew Zinn (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Feb. 25 - Ryan Cuneo (Baseball)
Feb. 18 - Asha Quant (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Feb. 11 - Vincent Giordano (Men's Lacrosse)
Feb. 4 - Andrew Zinn (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Jan. 28 - John Viotto (Men's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 21 - Kelli McDonald (Women's Indoor Track & Field)
Jan. 14 - Herb Courtney (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 7 - Andrew Zinn (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Dec. 31 - Kyle DeHaven (Women's Basketball)
Dec. 24 - Alphonso Dawson (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 16 - Mark Duncan (Football)
Dec. 9 - Joe Flacco (Football)
Dec. 2 - Maryann Walker (Women's Swimming)
Nov. 26 - Omar Cuff (Football)
Nov. 19 - Megan Welch (Volleyball)
Nov. 12 - Kyle DeHaven (Women's Basketball)
Nov. 5 - Sobhan Tadjalli (Men's Soccer)
Oct. 29 - Christina Antonopoulos (Women's Cross Country)
Oct. 22 - Emily Sammis (Women's Soccer)
Oct. 15 - Omar Cuff (Football)
Oct. 8 - Kyle Schmid (Men's Cross Country)
Oct. 1 - Colleen Walsh (Volleyball)
Sept. 23 - Nolan Greenberg (Men's Tennis)
Sept. 16 - Joe Flacco (Football)
Sept. 9 - Jason Bernstein (Golf)
Sept. 2 - Casey Howard (Field Hockey)
Aug. 26 - Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
2006-07 Season
Jan. 30 - Asha Quant (Women's Indoor Track)
Feb. 4 - Kyle DeHaven (Women's Basketball)
Feb. 11 - Sam McMahon (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 18 - Maryann Walker (Women's Swimming)
Feb. 25 - Adam Zuder-Havens (Men's Lacrosse)
Mar. 2 - Cristine Marquez (Women's Indoor Track)
Mar. 12 - Debbie Sloan (Women's Lacrosse)
Mar. 19 - Tyresa Smith (Women's Basketball)
Mar. 26 - Joe McLister (Golf)
Apr. 2 - Carolynn Sloat (Softball)
Apr. 9 - Bryan Hagerich (Baseball)
Apr. 16 - Alexi Capsouras (Women's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 23 - Jared Wasser (Men's Outdoor Track)
Apr. 30 - Alex Smith (Men's Lacrosse)
May 7 - David Slovak (Baseball)
May 14 - Tommy Scherr (Men's Lacrosse)
May 21 - Dan Deckelbaum (Men's Lacrosse)
May 28 - Mike McGuire (Baseball)
