Metuchen, NJ — For the third installment of the post-season awards in UWS League Two, it’s time to recognize the Northeast Conference. New Jersey Copa FC Reserves (6-0) posted an undefeated record in the conference and ran away with the title. The team averaged four goals per game and only conceded two in 540 minutes for a +22 goal differential. Not surprisingly, NJ Copa FC led the way with six players being named to the UWS2 Northeast First Team.
Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year – M – Sarah Cudmore (NJ Copa FC Reserves) – Cudmore was instrumental in the team’s defensive success of only letting up 2 goals all season. Her consistency, resilience, and ability to cover ground in the midfield made her a dynamic threat. She also contributed on the attacking side, totaling 5 points on the season with 2 goals and 1 assist.
Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year – F – Emma Bedell (NJ Copa FC Reserves) – Bedell was an offensive force for her team. The strong, pacey, left footer excelled at attacking on the dribble, scoring, and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates.
Northeast Conference Coach of the Year — Mary Hearin (New Jersey Copa FC Reserves)
In the inaugural UWS League Two season, Coach Hearin guided her team to a perfect 6-0 record. Following the UWS2 pathway to the UWS, Coach Hearin’s mentorship prepared Emily Jozak, Christine Cataldo-Smith, Amanda Lebelt and Angie Paz for the move to UWS play.
“Being recognized as UWS2’s Northeast Conference Coach of the Year comes as a great surprise and is very humbling, especially in our first season of competition,” said Hearin. “It was a complete team effort, and we would not have had the success we did without the support of the entire New Jersey Copa FC organization. We had a fantastic group of players, who worked hard for each other and believed in what we are building here with NJ Copa FC. I’m very lucky and grateful for the opportunity to work with such high level players, and I am excited to have many of them back next season.”
“Coach Hearin has perfectly executed our vision for UWS2 in its inaugural season, and we are thrilled to have a person of her quality as part of New Jersey Copa FC,” said New Jersey Copa FC Sporting Director Roberto Aguas.
Hearin is a former player and assistant coach at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). While at UMBC, she was tri-captain for three seasons, earned America East Conference all-conference second team, all-rookie America East championship all-tournament team honors. A native of North Potomac, Maryland, Hearin graduated magna cum laude from UMBC. The FC Copa Academy Staff coach has served as women’s assistant coach at NJIT since 2016.
2021 UWS2 All-Northeast Conference First Team
GK – Jennifer Pettigrew (Paisley Athletic FC)
D – Haley Benson (NJ Copa FC Reserves)
D – Allison Cudmore (NJ Copa FC Reserves)
D – Luisa Barone (Steel United NJ)
D – Kelsea Kearns (Paisley Athletic FC)
M – Sarah Cudmore (NJ Copa FC Reserves)
F – Emma Bedell (NJ Copa FC Reserves)
F – Erika Muskus (NJ Copa FC Reserves)
F – Emily Jozak (NJ Copa FC Reserves)
F – Amber Crispin (Paisley Athletic FC)
F – Nina Carlson (Steel United NJ)
Honorable Mention
GK – Keegan Deyo (Hudson Valley Crusaders)
M – Ella Goodman (Hudson Valley Crusaders)
M – Kylie Sullivan (Steel United NJ)
M – Victoria Kealy (Paisley Athletic)
