ASTON, Pa. - Immaculata University freshman point guard Chrissy Esbensen and junior forward Chelsea McTigue were both honored by the Colonial States Athletic Conference in the annual end-of-season awards, as voted on by the league's head coaches.

Esbensen captured one of the league's three major awards as she was selected as the conference's Rookie of the Year. It marks the first time an Immaculata women's basketball player has earned the conference's top freshman award. McTigue earned first team All-CSAC honors as well.

The Royersford, Pa., native has started every contest this season for Immaculata and leads the CSAC in minutes played (39.2). She is the team's leader in assists averaging 4.9 per game and is second in CSAC-only games at 4.1. She ranks fourth in conference-only games in steals (2.7), while leading the Mighty Macs with 3.0 steals per outing. She had a season-best performance with 11 assists opposite Cedar Crest, and swiped a career-high eight steals versus Penn State Brandywine.

Esbensen is third on the team in scoring (10.5) but is averaging 11.6 points per game in league games, good for 17th in the conference. She has registered 12 double digit scoring games, including eight times in conference games. She racked up a season-high 20 points Neumann, and tallied 19 against both Rosemont and Baptist Bible.

McTigue captured her first conference accolade being selected to the First Team All-CSAC. The West Chester, Pa., native becomes the first player to receive first team honors since Dominique Murray in 2007.

McTigue leads Immaculata in scoring and field goal percentage with 15.9 points per game on 135 of 268 (.504) from the field, while listing second in rebounding (7.5). McTigue garnered conference player of the week honors three times this season and was once on the honor roll. In CSAC games, she ranks 11th in scoring (13.6), 10th in rebounding (8.2) and 10th in field goal percentage (.468).

McTigue has four double-doubles this season, and has eclipsed the 20-point mark in six times. She poured in 31 points against Penn State Berks and reached a league-high with 26 points against Cedar Crest.

Freshman forward Leah Kuczynski was also recognized by the league, earning the CSAC Sportsmanship Award. The Philadelphia, Pa., native is second this season in scoring (12.0) and leads the team in both rebounding (9.8) and blocks (1.8). She is 16th in CSAC games in scoring (11.7), sixth in rebounding (9.4) and second in blocks (2.1). She has recorded eight double-doubles this season, 15 double-digit scoring games, and 10 double-figure rebounding games.

A complete list of the CSAC end of the season awards are listed below.

Player of the Year: Brittany Whetts, Neumann University
Rookie of the Year: Chrissy Esbensen, Immaculata University
Coach of the Year: Frank Farnese, Neumann University

First Team All-Conference:
Alyssa Brady, Cabrini College
Deana DiAmico, Cabrini College
Jackie Dooley, Gwynedd-Mercy College
Chelsea McTigue, Immaculata University
Brittany Whetts, Neumann University
Jen Vasta, Centenary College

Second Team All-Conference:
Kristen Camuso, Centenary College
Ellen Fallon, Keystone College
Kelly Oakes, Cedar Crest College
Mariah Schaeffer, Marywood University
Lizzy Sunderhaus, Cedar Crest College

Honorable Mention:
Nicole Feby, Neumann University
Lizzy Green, Marywood University
Marlie Kneifel, Baptist Bible College
Amanda Lass, Marywood University
Kristy McGrath, Gwynedd-Mercy College
Dani Norton, Philadelphia Biblical University

CSAC Sportsmanship Award Recipients:
Joy DeLeonardis, Baptist Bible
Julie Bonomo, Cabrini College
Nikki VanTassel, Centenary College
Allison Horn, Cedar Crest College
Erica Fulforth, Gwynedd-Mercy College
Sarah Barreto, Keystone College
Leah Kuczynski, Immaculata University
Erin Fulong, Marywood University
Coleen Healy, Neumann University
Dani Norton, Philadelphia Biblical University
Latifah Edwards, Rosemont College