BOSTON — NJIT women's soccer freshman Riley Jones has repeated as America East Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Monday morning in their final weekly awards slate of the season. The fifth weekly award of the year for the Highlanders - following honors for Ciara Adams, Molly Saylor, and Briana Andreoli, along with Jones' award last week - set a new mark for awards in a season, surpassing the four NJIT received in 2021.  

Jones helped NJIT keep its America East playoff hopes alive by scoring the first of two goals in the Highlanders' Senior Day victory over defending champion Vermont on October 23. The goal was the second of her career and her second in as many games after netting her first in NJIT's draw at UAlbany on October 16.

After making her collegiate debut against Hartford on September 8, Jones has seen the pitch in each of the last six contests, including four straight starts. Jones' playing time has increased with every outing - from nine against Hartford to three straight full 90 minute games against UMBC, UAlbany and UVM. In her first start against Delaware State, Jones made one of the two assists on what was the eventual game-winner for the Highlanders in their 4-0 shutout of the Hornets.

Jones' award is the second America East weekly honor of her career, NJIT's fourth-ever Rookie of the Week award, and the 12th overall honor for the program since joining the America East in July 2020. It also marks the first time a Highlander has won multiple America East weekly awards in a season since Corbin Reifschneider earned Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week honors after a two-goal 2020 season debut against Drexel on February 21, 2021 (season played in Spring 2021). 

Olivia McKnight of Binghamton (Offensive) and Myia Schneider of Maine (Defensive) picked up the other America East awards this week.

NJIT will close out the regular season on Thursday, October 27 with a road trip to league newcomer Bryant. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.


NJIT AMERICA EAST WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
All Time: Offensive - 3 | Defensive - 5 | Rookie - 4

2022
Oct. 24 - Riley Jones, Rookie of the Week
Oct. 17 - Riley Jones, Rookie of the Week
Oct. 10 - Briana Andreoli, Rookie of the Week
Aug. 29 - Molly Saylor, Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 22 - Ciara Adams, Offensive Player of the Week

2021
Oct. 25 - Madison Taibl, Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 18 - Molly Saylor, Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 7 - Bailey Chant, Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 7 - Siani Magruder, Defensive Player of the Week

2020
Mar. 2 - Molly Saylor, Defensive Player of the Week
Feb. 23 - Corbin Reifschneider, Offensive Player of the Week
Feb. 23 - Corbin Reifschneider, Rookie of the Week