Madeline anchored a Hofstra defense that recorded a 1.07 goals-against average. (Photo courtesy of Hofstra SID)

Hofstra University senior Madeline Anderson repeated as the Colonial Athletic Association defender of the year and freshman Miri Taylor was named the conference’s top rookie.

They highlighted the Pride’s six All-CAA selections as the conference announced the postseason awards Thursday afternoon. Hofstra and Northeastern University tied for the most players selected to the three all-conference teams.

Sophomores Sabrina Bryan and Lucy Porter were named to the All-CAA first team along with Anderson. Seniors Kelly Gerdes and Jenn Buoncore were All-CAA second team selections while Taylor was named to the All-CAA third team and the All-CAA Rookie squad.

Anderson became only the fourth player to earn the defender of the year award more than once since the inception of the honor in 1998. She helped anchor a defense that compiled a 1.07 goals-against average and had six shutouts, including three in league play. Anderson, who has started all 18 games, added a goal and an assist. The Westbury, N.Y, native is one of four Hofstra women’s soccer players – Jess Crankshaw, Sue Weber (three times), and Dolores Deasley – to earn defender of the year accolades.

Taylor was the fifth Pride player to earn CAA rookie of the year honors, joining Jacki Pollaro (2003), Marie Curtin (2004), Edel Malone (2005) and Leah Galton (2012). The Gillingham, England, native has started eight of 12 games and recorded three goals and two assists from her midfield position. Her goal against Delaware Sept. 27 was the only tally in a 1-0 Hofstra victory.

Bryan turned in a stellar offensive season en route to first team All-CAA honors. The Cecil, Pa. native leads Hofstra with nine goals and 22 points and has three game-winning goals. The forward closed out the year strong with five goals in her last three games.

Porter, a CAA All-Rookie selection in 2017, moved up to the first team after pouring in eight goals and adding three assists for 19 points. Half of the Birmingham, England, native’s eight goals proved to be game-winners.

Gerdes returned to a spot on the All-CAA second team for a second consecutive year after teaming with Anderson to lockdown the Pride’s backline. Hofstra’s GAA ranked second in the CAA. The Wantagh, N.Y. native started every game for the third consecutive season.

Buoncore has been a catalyst for the Pride offense, assisting on 11 goals while scoring three. She leads the CAA and is tied for third in the nation in assists. The Kings Park, N.Y. native had a career-best three assists in a game at Drexel in a 3-2 Hofstra victory.

Hofstra, seeded third in the CAA Championship, begins defense of its CAA title Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. when it takes on No. 6 Delaware in a quarterfinal matchup at Northeastern’s Parsons Field. The winner advances to Sunday’s semifinal against the second-seeded Huskies Sunday at 1 p.m.

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.