Jillian Moretto of Cornwall, N.Y. and Emily Rokitowski of Wallkill, N.Y. were named winners of the Jack Bauman Scholarship. They will receive checks and plaques at the Eastern New York holiday party in December.

The scholarship is named after the late Eastern New York vice president who is considered the father of girls and women’s soccer in the state.

Jillian Moretto

Moretto attended Cornwall Central High School and most recently performed for Quickstrike FC since 2005. She was the co-captain of Cornwall’s undefeated varsity team in 2008, having helped the side to the Section 9 title in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

To say that Moretto loves soccer is an understatement.

"As the whistle blows, there is no better feeling in the world than the ball at my feet, the sun on my face and a competitive 90-minute match ahead of me," she wrote in her essay. "Soccer has provided so many opportunities for me that it is almost impossible to not credit the game for the positive ways in which it has affected me."

She has visited nine states due to her soccer travels, making lifelong friends.

"Being introduced to this sport at such a young age, I was able to develop a sense of self-confidence and pose that carried on into the building of my character," she wrote.

"This sport has given me the chance to represent my school, my community and myself, and I wish to continue to be successful as I leave high school behind and into a whole new world of challenges and opportunities."

A member of the National Honor Society, Moretto forged an unweighted 99 grade-point average. She represented Cornwall as an OCIAA Scholar Athlete in her senior year.

Moretto is attending Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Her college major is biology and pre-med.

Emily Rokitowski

Rokitowski’s passion for the game could be summed up by words that are on her bedroom wall:

"It’s you and the ball, all the hours of practice, rain or shine . . . comes down to one thing. How dirty did you get?"

She has played at many levels of youth soccer from travel to ODP to Select to Premier as each level requirement more hard work dedication and determination.

"Through soccer I have experienced the gamut of emotions from exhilarating highs and devastating lows," she wrote in her essay. "However, each emotion felt only fueled my desire to reach higher, run faster, play better, all to achieve my goal."

Which was: "Trade my soccer ability for a top level college education!" Rokitowski wrote.

Rokitowski is attending Sacred Heart University, but she admitted she needs financial help.

Her goal is to work for FEMA or the American Red Cross.

"Unfortunately, the cost of such a dream is astronomical," she wrote. "My parents and I have exhausted whatever financial means possible to attend this university. Receiving this scholarship would not only be a extreme honor, but it would be most appreciated from a financial aspect. If love and encouragement could pay for tuition, my bill would be paid in full!"

At Roy C. Ketcham High School, Rokitowski earned a 92 grade average. Besides being the captain of the soccer team, she also participated in varsity basketball and track.

Rokitowski also has been a volunteer at the Fishkill Health Related Center and small World Daycare Center and a coach for the Town of Wappingers Soccer Club.

Rokitowski has played for several youth soccer teams through the years, including the Wappingers Cougars, LaGrange Volcanoes, Washingtonville Brilliance, Mid Hudson Panthers and Middlepath Extreme.

"To my coaches, past present and future, thank you for your guidance and for believing in me," she wrote. "I hope I will do you all proud."