QUEENS, N.Y. – Following a standout season, St. John’s University forward Zsani Kajan has been named Big East offensive player of the year, the league announced Monday.
She also earned a unanimous selection to the All-Big East first team for the second consecutive year. Rookie forward Isabelle Aviza also was recognized by the league’s coaches, finding a place on the Big East All-Freshman Team.
Kajan became only the second Johnnie to be named the conference’s top offensive player, joining England international Rachel Daly, who was a two-time recipient (2013 and 2015).
The Budapest, Hungary native was bolstered by an impressive scoring pace as she led the way for the Johnnies with 11 goals in 18 games. The redshirt junior’s 11 goal tied her season-high total from last year. She became one of three players in program history to record double-digit scoring in multiple seasons.
Kajan netted seven of her 11 goals against conference foes to close out the regular season in a tie for first with DePaul University’s Morgan Turner. Kajan also led the conference in points, recording 15.
Over 18 matches, she put up three multi-goal performances on the year, including her second career hat-trick at Villanova University Oct. 24. Kajan became the first player to record multiple three-goal outings since Daly registred three in her career. Kajan also scored a team-high three game-winners this season.
The 5-7 forward’s team-best 11 goals this season increased her career total up to 24, moving her into fifth on the team’s all-time scoring list. Kajan also cracked the top 10 in points with 51 and shots taken with 140.
Aviza burst onto the stage for the Red Storm and was one of just two Johnnies to earn starts in all 18 matches. The freshman forward notched her first career goal, finding the back of the net in the team’s 2-1 home victory over Yale University Aug. 30.
With Aviza earning an all-freshman spot, she became the seventh Johnnie in five seasons to be selected to the league’s all-rookie squad, and the 11th in program history.
BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Zsani Kajan, St. John’s, R-Jr., F
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Meaghan Nally, Georgetown, Sr., D
BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year
Paula Germino-Watnick, Georgetown, Sr., M*
BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Shelby Hogan, Providence, R-Jr., GK
BIG EAST Freshman of the Year
Skylar Heinrich, Creighton, Fr., F
BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year
Xavier*
All-BIG EAST First Team^
Annika Schmidt, Butler, R-Sr., D
Katie Soderstrom, Butler, So., F
Taryn Jakubowski, Creighton, Sr., M
Morgan Turner, DePaul, Jr., F
Amanda Carolan, Georgetown, Grad., F*
Paula Germino-Watnick, Georgetown, Sr., M*
Meaghan Nally, Georgetown, Sr., D
Shelby Hogan, Providence, R-Jr., GK
Zsani Kajan, St. John’s, R-Jr., F*
Brice McInroy, Villanova, So., F
Grace Bahr, Xavier, Sr., D
Samantha Dewey, Xavier, R-Sr., M*
All-BIG EAST Second Team
Anja Savich, Butler, So., F
Skylar Heinrich, Creighton, Fr., F
Kristin Boos, DePaul, Fr., F
Avery Hay, DePaul, R-Jr., D
Amanda Leat, Georgetown, Fr., GK
Jenna Royson, Georgetown, So., D
Alyssa Bombacino, Marquette, So., M
Hannah McNulty, Providence, Jr., F
Kristen Barbour, Villanova, Sr., D
Molly McLaughlin, Xavier, So., M
Brooke Sroka, Xavier, So., F
BIG EAST All-Freshman Team^
Aliya Diagne, Butler, Fr., M
Skylar Heinrich, Creighton, Fr., F*
Jordy Rothwell, Creighton, Fr., D
Kristin Boos, DePaul, Fr., F
Julia Leas, Georgetown, Fr., D*
Anna Leat, Georgetown, Fr., GK*
Josie Kelderman, Marquette, Fr., D
Lisa Verhoeven, Providence, Fr., D
Alexis Rothmann, Providence, Fr., M
Isabelle Aviza, St. John’s, Fr., D/F
Jane Olcott, Villanova, Fr., M*
Maddie Thiss, Xavier, D
*unanimous selection
^extra player added due to a tie in voting
