Rivier Athletics Hosts Second Annual Awards Tailgate
NASHUA, N.H. – On Friday, April 19 the Rivier Athletics coaches, staff, and student-athletes all gathered at Merrill Field to celebrate the end of the year at the Second Annual Awards Tailgate. The day was filled with activities and food trucks while honoring individuals who represented Rivier at a high level over the 2023-24 year.
Team of the Year: Women's Soccer & Women's Basketball
Both teams had outstanding years on and off their respective playing surfaces. Under first-year head coach Daniel Milton the women's soccer team earned its first playoff berth since 2000. The team has also added Team IMPACT teammate, Serafina Nicastro, who has made a lasting positive impact on the program and players.
You can find a women's basketball player at every home game, whether it was in the stands supporting teams or behind the scenes helping run the show. On the court, they continued to push through adversity and injuries to make a playoff run for the third year in a row.
Female Athlete of the Year: Lyric Grumblatt
Senior standout Lyric Grumblatt earned the Women's Basketball GNAC Player of the Year title after a record-breaking year. She was named to the D3Hoops.com Region 1 Second Team, was the GNAC Player of the Week four times, and was a NEWBA First Team selection on four occasions. Her 83 threes broke the program's all-time three-point record and poured in 680 points to sit at 1,840 points, good for second-most in program history.
Male Athlete of the Year: Michael Ference & Luis Colon
Luis Colon, a junior transfer from Northern Essex, has had an outstanding season thus far for the Rivier baseball team. At the time of the ceremony, Colon posted a .360 batting average, a .448 on-base percentage, and was slugging .596 with three home runs, 21 runs batted in, and 17 runs scored.
The reigning 2023 GNAC Offensive Player of the Year, Michael Ference, is now the men's lacrosse program leader in points and assists thanks to continued success in his senior campaign. At the time of the ceremony, he had registered 257 points powered by 141 goals and 116 assists in only 57 games.
Male & Female Scholar Athletes: Hunter Philips & Brianna Parent
These two student-athletes led their teams on the ice and in the classroom. Hunter Philips, a cybersecurity major, earned a 4.0 GPA while skating in 23 games. Brianna Parent, a business management major with a 4.0 GPA, helped lead her team to an ECHA Championship game this season. Both earned a spot on the Dean's List and were inducted into the Chi Alpha Omega honor society.
Female Rookie of the Year: Hayleigh Silva
As a first year, Hayleigh Silva has made an immediate impact at first base, in the circle, and at the plate. She has claimed the leadoff spot in the lineup while earning GNAC Rookie of the Week honors earlier this season. She had appeared in all 22 games at the time of the ceremony, recording a .352 batting average, and was tied with the most hits on the team with 25. Additionally, Silva led the team with 14 runs scored.
Male Rookies of the Year: Damon Kiyawasew
First-year men's ice hockey player Damon Kiyawasew appeared in 23 games this season. He led the team with 19 points, with 12 coming as assists (top on the team), and was second on the squad in goals with seven. He was honored as a member of the Division III All-Independent Second and Rookie Teams.
Female Most Improved Player: Kylie Coupal
Junior goalkeeper Kylie Coupal had an outstanding season in net for the Rivier field hockey team this fall, improving in every statistical category. After starting in all 17 games, she recorded one shutout and finished fourth in the GNAC with 134 saves, good for a .757 save percentage. As a result, Coupal was named to the All-GNAC Third Team.
Male Most Improved Players: Michael Zapakta & Neil Rea
An attack on the men's lacrosse team, Michael Zapatka has had a breakthrough junior season with 32 goals and 30 assists in 14 games played at the time of the ceremony. He has been a crucial part of the men's lacrosse team's success this year as it looks to chase a conference championship. Neil Rea was the leader of the men's volleyball team's offensive success during their run to the GNAC title match. He was named to the Third Team All-GNAC, after dishing out almost double the number of assists from last season with 951.
Sportsmanship Award: Alexa Dufries & Kyle Hsu
Junior transfer Kyle Hsu has made an immediate impact on the Rivier Baseball team, both in the lineup and the dugout. After the team's trip to South Carolina, he was named team captain due to his natural leadership skills, and being a great teammate, playing the game the right way. Junior Alexa Dufries was a major contributor to the women's basketball team on and off the court. Her coach describes her as "a fierce competitor who treats her teammates and opponents with respect". As the team's second-leading scorer, she totaled 353 points on the season and is only 48 away from her 1,000th career point.
Unsung Hero Award: Courtney Palardy
Work Study Students of the Year: Hannah Muchemore & Collin Digby
Faculty/Staff Member of the Year Award: Kerrie Dahl
Male & Female Managers of the Year: Olivia Birolini & Brayden Durate
Fan of the Year: Derek Steckowych
