The 2019-20 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association women’s basketball awards banquet was an historic one for the St. Thomas University Tommies.
There were a total of seven honours bestowed upon the Tommies, led by Vanessa Soffee (Fredericton, NB) who became the first Tommie, and third ever player in league history, to go from being ACAA Rookie of the Year to ACAA Player of the Year, along with taking home the ACAA Defensive Player of the Year, CCAA All-Canadian and 1st Team ACAA All-Star. Joining her on the ACAA 1st Team All-Star squad was Bridget Frazee (Sussex, NB) and Christina Richardson (Ottawa, ON) was named to the 2nd Team. Fred Connors was also named the ACAA Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career.
Soffee averaged 10.7 points per game for a team that averages a total of 69.8. It was her playmaking and defence that really set Soffee apart from the field this year as she averaged an ACAA high 4.3 steals per game and was third in the league in assists per game.
“We are very proud of Vanessa and the tremendous season she had,” said Connors. “She leads us in so many ways it’s hard to count them all. She is a tremendous competitor and excellent teammate. She is truly developing into a comfortable leader on and off the floor. I have cherished my time coaching Vanessa and look forward to how good she is going to become.”
Frazee was named to the ACAA 1st All-Star Team for the second straight season as she continued to fill the basket for the Tommies. The 4th year sharpshooter poured in 13.2 points per game for the Tommies to lead them in that category while setting career highs in assists, rebounds and steals per game while leading the ACAA in three-point field goals made.
“Bridget has made large strides to her all-around game this past season. She has developed as a passer and defender and we have seen her rebounding numbers go up. When added to her incredible shooting, it makes her a very good basketball player.”
Richardson, February’s St. Thomas Athletics Athlete of the Month, turned her game up a notch down the stretch for the Tommies, earning her first ACAA All-Star honour in her fourth year. She anchored the post for the Tommies to the tune of 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
“We are ecstatic for Christina. She has worked so hard on her game. She really has established herself as an elite level post in our league through her commitment to her development. She can guard all five positions with her mobility and height. She Is an excellent rebounder and can score the ball from the three-point line in. She has gotten better every time she has stepped on the floor. We are very proud of her and how hard she has worked for this accomplishment.”
Connors joins elite company with his Coach of the Year award as, according to the ACAA website, he joins the late Dyrick McDermott for the all-time lead in ACAA Women’s Coach of the Year honours.
“We are very pleased that Fred has once again won this distinguished award,” said Michael Eagles, Director of Athletics at STU. “He continues to amaze me by his level of dedication and commitment to his players, the art of coaching and to the institution.”