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By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
December 4, 2008

	2008 BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year Carolyn Blank with Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Three West Virginia University women’s soccer players were today named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) Mid-Atlantic Region first team.

Defender Greer Barnes and midfielder Carolyn Blank each earned First Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors, while midfielder Amanda Cicchini was named Third Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region.

“I’m very happy for these ladies to be recognized for their hard work,” said Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Each of them played integral roles in the success of our team this season.”

Barnes’ selection marks the second-straight year on the First Team All-Region squad. Blank was named Second Team All-Region in 2007. Barnes, a 2007 NSCAA Second Team All-American, and Blank, the 2008 BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, are now eligible for NSCAA All-America consideration with first team selections in the other five regions.

The all-region honor is the fourth for Cicchini, a First Team selection in 2007, a Second Team member in 2006 and a Third Team pick in 2005. She joins current assistant coach Lisa Stoia as the only Mountaineer in program history to be named NSCAA All-Region in each of their four seasons.

The Mountaineers closed out the 2008 season with a 14-3-6 record, tying the school record for fewest losses in a season. Six West Virginia players earned All-BIG EAST honors as WVU won its fourth BIG EAST American Division title. Izzo-Brown guided her team to a ninth consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, an active streak good for ninth-best in the country.