KINGS POINT, N.Y. (March 24, 2025) – On Thursday, the Eastern College Athletics Conference (ECAC) announced the year-end awards and All-ECAC Teams for the 2024-25 women's basketball season and USMMA freshman Carolae Barton (Waldorf, Md.) was selected as the ECAC Rookie of the Year, while first-year head coach Alexa Shields earned Coach of the Year honors. Additionally, sophomore Emily Grasseler (Millbrook, N.Y.) landed on the All-ECAC First Team.
 
Barton has already been named the Skyline Conference Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year as well as the D3hoops.com Region 3 Rookie of the Year. She also was chosen to the First Team to All-Skyline and All-Region 3, and earlier this week was named the program's second All-American by the WBCA. Barton ranks fifth in all of Division III with 18 double-doubles on the season.
 
Shields led the Mariners to a 24-3 overall record including a perfect 20-0 mark in Skyline Conference action, as they became the first team in league history to win 20 games in conference play. Merchant Marine enjoyed a program-best 23-game win-streak from Nov. 20 until Feb. 7. Shields was also the Skyline Coach of the Year and has led the Mariners' to a #1 ranking among all DIII teams in rebounds per game (19.3) and rebound margin (+21.3), while also ranking high in assists per game (13th) and field goal percentage defense (14th).
 
Grasseler, the Skyline Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-Skyline and All-Region 3 selection was named to the All-ECAC First Team after leading the Mariners with 15.6 points per game and ranking second on the squad with 10.3 rebounds per game. She ranks 25th in the nation with 13 double doubles on the year.
 
For the complete release from the ECAC, click here.
 
Still more year-end announcements are expected in the coming weeks. Stay logged on to www.USMMASports.com as they become available.
 
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