Simon Riddiough directed the Hofstra women to a 9-0 in CAA action this season. (Photo courtesy of Hofstra Sports Communications)

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Hofstra University head coach Simon Riddiough was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference coach of the year, it was announced Wednesday.

Junior defender Madeline Anderson also earned a spot on the All-ECAC first team.

After missing the Colonial Athletic Association Championships in 2016, Riddiough led the program to a dramatic turnaround, as the Pride went a perfect 9-0 in conference play, capturing the CAA regular-season and tournament titles. In addition to Riddiough’s CAA coach of the year award, senior Kristin Desmond was named CAA player of the year and Anderson earned defensive player of the year.

Anderson anchored a backline that allowed just three goals in conference play and posted 11 shutouts. One of the CAA’s best one-on-one defenders, Anderson was also able to contribute on the attack, recording two goals and two assists. Both goals were game-winners.

The ECAC draws its awards from first-team and major award winners from conferences throughout the eastern region.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.