Denver— The 2009 Western Athletic Conference preseason all-conference soccer team and Players of the Year were announced today as voted on by the league’s head coaches. Boise State junior forward Shannon Saxton garnered Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Fresno State junior keeper Kaitlyn Revel was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Saxton is a two-time all-WAC honoree, earning the distinction in both 2007 and 2008. She was also named the WAC’s freshman of the year in 2007. In all games last season, Saxton led the WAC with eight assists.
Revel earned first team all-WAC honors in both 2007 and 2008. The Fresno State keeper led the WAC in 2008 in goals against average (0.13), save percentage (.974), shutouts (6) and shutouts per game (0.86).
Utah State led WAC teams with four of the 11 preseason all-conference selections, including 2008 Freshman of the Year Shantel Flanary and 2008 all-WAC first team selection Lindsey Smart. Lauren Hansen, a 2008 second team all-WAC honoree, also received preseason all-WAC honors for the Aggies.
Hawai‘i had three players selected to the preseason all-WAC team, including 2007 WAC Offensive Player of the Year Ambree Ako. Junior midfielder Mari Punzal and junior defender Chelsea Deptula also earned preseason honors for the Rainbow Wahine.
Fresno State had two honorees, including Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Revel and sophomore defender Danielle Solich.
Saxton earned preseason all-WAC honors for Boise State, while junior midfielder Christen Drummond earned the distinction for
Nevada.
2009 Preseason All-WAC Team
Ambree Ako, F, Hawai’i, Sr.
Shantel Flanary, F, Utah State, So.
Lauren Hansen, F, Utah State, Jr.
Shannon Saxton, F, Boise State, Jr.
Christen Drummond, MF, Nevada, Jr.
Mari Punzal, MF, Hawai‘i, Jr.
Chandra Salmon, MF, Utah State, So.
Chelsea Deptula, D, Hawai‘i, Jr.
Lindsey Smart, D, Utah State, Sr.
Danielle Solich, D, Fresno State, So.
Kaitlyn Revel, GK, Fresno State, Jr.
Preseason Players of the Year
Offensive: Shannon Saxton, F, Boise State, Jr.
Defensive: Kaitlyn Revel, GK, Fresno State, Jr.