MELBOURNE, FL – Emily Santoli of Florida Southern College has been named the 2017-18 Sunshine State Conference Woman of the Year. The IWLCA All-American becomes the first Moccasin to win the award.

Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, Athletic Communication Directors, and Faculty Athletic Representatives from each of the league’s 11 member institutions chose Santoli from a pool of nominees. Candidates were scored based on the NCAA’s Woman of the Year guidelines.

The Fort Salonga, New York native, becomes a three-time First Team All-America selection, as she led the Moccasins in goals (72) and was second in total points (86) during her senior year. Santoli scored three or more goals in 16 games during the 2018 campaign, including three in an upset over then-No. 1 Adelphi University on February 17th. One of the most decorated players in program history, Santoli led the SSC and finished 12th nationally in goals while ranking 40th in total points.

During her four-year career at Florida Southern, Santoli started and played in 86 games for the Moccasins. Over that time span, the women’s lacrosse program had a combined record of 79-12 with a 17-1 record in conference play. Santoli helped lead Florida Southern to NCAA tournament appearances in all four years, including a National Championship in 2016 and runner-up performances in 2017 and 2018.

In 2018, Santoli graduated from Florida Southern magna cum laude with a 3.81 grade point average in Biology. She was also selected to FSC’s Dean’s List, FSC’s President’s List, and the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll this year. Additionally, CoSIDA honored Santoli as a member of its Academic All-District At-Large team.

Off the field and outside the classroom, Santoli remains engaged on campus as a four-year member of FSC’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She is also an All-American in the community. In 2018 alone, Santoli spent her time working with special needs students at Tim Tebow’s “A Night to Shine” event, painting houses for the elderly in Lakeland, and motivating/coaching high school students in Tampa.

SSC Woman of the Year Winners Since 2005-06 2017-18: Emily Santoli, Florida Southern College 2016-17: Marie Coors, Saint Leo University 2015-16: Rebecca Matthews, Lynn University 2014-15: Linda Fritschken, Barry University 2013-14: Ellen Chambers, Lynn University 2012-13: Lauren Boudreau, Nova Southeastern University 2011-12: Grace Collins, Barry University 2010-11: Barbara Pocza, Barry University 2009-10: Maria Garcia-Austt, Nova Southeastern University / Lydee Benoit, Eckerd College 2008-09: Shyla Rider, Barry 2007-08: Virginia Davenport, Saint Leo University 2006-07: Kelly Morrisroe, Eckerd 2005-06: Greta Trotman, Barry University