United Athletic Conference

The Western Athletic Conference announced its All-WAC women's soccer teams and major awards as selected by the league's nine head coaches. Seattle U received three of the four major awards as Jessie Ray was named WAC Offensive Player of the Year, her teammate Rachel Bowler earned WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and SU head coach Julie Woodward was named WAC Coach of the Year. Kansas City's Lindsey Prokop was named WAC Freshman of the Year.

 

Ray, a senior forward from Portland, Ore., paced the WAC regular-season champion Redhawks in goals (8), points (25) and assists (9). She led the conference with five assists and 15 points in league play. The senior also finished the season in a three-way tie for most goals in conference matches with five goals in eight matches. Among all Division I NCAA players, Ray ranks 22nd in total assists and 40th in assists per game. As Ray enters her final WAC Tournament, the Portland native is among the conference's top-three active career leaders in points (70), goals (25), assists (20) and shots (159).

 

Bowler, a senior defender from Honolulu, Hawaii, anchored the Redhawks' back line and led SU to a league best 6-1-1 record in conference play. Bowler helped lead Seattle U to five shutouts as she was one of only four Redhawks to start all 19 games this season. The senior played every minute of the Redhawks final four game stretch, leading SU to a 3-1 record and the No. 1 overall seed in the WAC Tournament.

 

Prokop, a forward from Omaha, Neb., started 15 of Kansas City's 19 games this season and led all WAC freshman with seven goals and 17 points. Prokop also contributed three assists on the season with all three coming in conference play. Prokop becomes the second consecutive Freshman of the Year award winner for Kansas City as teammate Rylan Childers earned the distinction last season.

 

Woodward led Seattle U to a 10-7-2 overall record and its fifth WAC regular-season title since 2013. In her 23 seasons at the helm, Woodward has guided the Redhawks to 304 total wins and an impressive .821 winning percentage in conference play during the team's eight seasons in the WAC. Woodward will look to lead SU to its fifth NCAA Tournament since 2013 as the Redhawks host the 2019 WAC Tournament.

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Jessie Ray, Sr., F, Seattle U

Defensive Player of the Year: Rachel Bowler, Sr., D, Seattle U

Freshman of the Year: Lindsey Prokop, F, Kansas City

Coach of the Year: Julie Woodward, Seattle U

 

Rola Badawiya, Jr., F, California Baptist

Leahi Manthei, Jr., F, Seattle U

Jessie Ray, Sr., F, Seattle U

Amber Tripp, R-Jr., F, Utah Valley

Rylan Childers, So., MF Kansas City

Breanna DeWaal, Jr., MF, Utah Valley

Karley Weeks, So., MF, California Baptist

Rachel Bowler, Sr., D, Seattle U

Hannah Bruce, Sr., D, Utah Valley

Abby Small, Sr., D, Kansas City

Lauren Garthwaite, Fr., GK, Grand Canyon

 

Sarah Bonney, Sr., F, UT Rio Grande Valley

Aryana Harvey, R-Sr., F, CSU Bakersfield

Emily Zapata, So., F, UT Rio Grande Valley

Kelsey Crosby, Fr., MF, Seattle U

Corey Kizer, So., MF, NM State

Holly Rothering, Sr., MF Seattle U

Gina Steiner, Jr., MF UT Rio Grande Valley

Maddi Cipolla, Jr., D Kansas City

Jenna Shepherd, R-Fr., D, Utah Valley

Kelsey Vogel, Sr., D, Seattle U

Kinga Szemik, Sr., GK, UT Rio Grande Valley

 

Michele Adam, D, Seattle U

Dani Babb, F, Grand Canyon

Jasmine Bowman, D, CSU Bakersfield

Jocelyn Bybee, F, Utah Valley

Kelsey Crosby, MF, Seatlle U

Chelsee Duran, MF, CSU Bakersfield

Lauren Garthwaite, GK, Grand Canyon

Tiana Hill, MF, California Baptist

Lindsey Prokop, F, Kansas City

Jenna Shepherd, D, Utah Valley

Heather Stainbrook, MF, Utah Valley

 

Following the conference tournament, California Baptist leads the league in shots taken (341). Utah Valley holds the lead for most goals scored (40) as well as points (114) for the season. The Wolverines share the lead for most assists with Seattle U as each school has accounted for 32 assists this year. Chicago State leads the league in saves (162). Kansas City and California Baptis have allowed the fewest goals (18) while the 'Roos lead the league in goals-against average (.820).

 

Individually, California Baptist's Rola Badawiya remains the league's top goal scorer with 11. Kansas City's Rylan Childers paces the league in assists (9) and points (30). The Lancers' Badawiya leads the conference in game-winners (5). Judith Sorribes of Chicago State is the league leader in saves (150). Of goalies that have played in one-third of their team's minutes, California Baptist's Romy Salvador holds the best goals-against average (0.65) and save percentage (.824). Erin Roth of Kansas City leads the league in clean sheets as she finished the season with eight shutouts.

 

Six teams made up the field for the 2019 WAC Women's Soccer Tournament, led by regular season champion, No. 1 seed and host Seattle U. A highly competitive tournament saw the favorite Redhawks emerge victorious. Tournament games were decided by an average of one goal with two matches reaching at least one overtime.

 

The opening match between No. 4 seed CSU Bakersfield and No. 5 seed UT Rio Grande Valley saw the teams reach a draw after two overtime periods. In the penalty kick shootout, UT Rio Grande Valley advanced by a score of 2-0 as Kinga Szemik came up with three saves on four shots.

 

In the second game of the first day, No. 3 seed Kansas City took on No. 6 seed Grand Canyon. Kansas City picked up where they left off with a goal in the 21st minute as Rylan Childers found Claire Larson. The 'Roos went on to win 2-0.

 

The first semifinal match saw host Seattle U take on No. 5 seed UT Rio Grande Valley. Seattle U had some trouble finding the back of the net, but eventually Lauren Brown scored the game-winner in the 77th minute to promote the Redhawks to the championship match.

 

Kansas City took on No. 2 seed Utah Valley in the second semifinal with the Wolverines emerging victorious. Kansas City got out front early with a goal in the 28th minute from Lindsey Prokop. However, UVU would put an impressive seven shots on goal with three of them getting past the KC goalie. Utah Valley went on to win 3-1 with the game-winner coming from the foot of Katie Haskins.

 

The championship match was a rematch of one of the conference's most entertaining regular season games. In the first meeting between Utah Valley and Seattle U on Nov. 2, the Redhawks came away with a late golden goal in the second overtime. The WAC Championship proved to be just as competitive. Utah Valley scored in the 32nd minute and appeared to be on their way to victory before Leahi Manthei brought Seattle U even in the 87th minute. The two teams duked it out in overtime for a second time where WAC standout Jessie Ray secured the game-winner in the 99th minute.

 

MVP: Jessie Ray, Seattle U

Lauren Brown, Seattle U

Leahi Manthei, Seattle U

Holly Rothering, Seattle U

Jocelyn Bybee, Utah Valley

Katie Haskins, Utah Valley

Amber Tripp, Utah Valley

Claire Larson, Kansas City

Linsdey Prokop, Kansas City

Kinga Szemik, UT Rio Grande Valley

Emily Zapata, UT Rio Grande Valley

 

The NCAA has released the first round matchups for the upcoming 2019 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. Conference champion Seattle U earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament when they defeated Utah Valley in the 2019 WAC Women's Soccer Championship. The Seattle U Redhawks won't have to travel far as they'll take on No. 4 seed Washington in the opening round.

 

Following a bye in the first round of the conference tournament, the Redhawks drew No. 5 seed UT Rio Grande Valley in the semifinal match. Though Seattle U dominated possession and doubled the Vaqueros in shots, it wasn't until the 77th minute that the Redhawks were able to break through with an unassisted goal from Lauren Brown. This would prove to be the game-winner and sent Seattle U to their seventh-straight conference title game, currently the longest active streak in the nation.

 

In the championship match, First Team All-WAC selection Leahi Manthei and WAC Offensive Player of the Year Jessie Ray both netted goals as the Redhawks were able to prevail over the No. 2 seed Wolverines 2-1 in overtime. Ray, the eventual WAC Tournament MVP, scored the golden goal for Seattle U in the 99th minute of the match to claim the Redhawks fifth conference tournament championship since 2013. This marks the first time that the regular season champion went on to win the WAC tournament since Seattle U did so in 2016.

 

The Redhawks are familiar with the Huskies as this is the second time they will match up against one another this season. In the first meeting on Aug. 26, Seattle U battled Washington to a nil-nil draw highlighted by a Madison Waguespack penalty save in the second half.

 

 

Two WAC women's soccer players have been selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Second Team. Grand Canyon sophomore defender Logan Van Dine represented the Lopes while Utah Valley senior defender Hannah Bruce garnered the second selection for the conference. As a business analytics major, Van Dine was honored for her 4.0 cumulative GPA. Bruce, a psychology major, also holds a 4.0 cumulative GPA.

 

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at her current institution. In addition, nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed.

 

Honorees selected first-team Academic All-District® will advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in early December.

 

Kansas City senior defender Abby Small has been selected as one of 30 women's candidates for the Senior CLASS Award®. The total list of candidates is comprised of 60 NCAA men's and women's soccer student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.

 

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

 

Small, a two-time Academic All-WAC selection, was selected to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region second team in 2018. As an electrical and computer engineering major, Small currently has a 3.64 cumulative GPA.

 

Small exemplifies leadership on and off the field as one of the SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) and SALC (Student-Athlete Leadership Council) leaders and representatives for Kansas City. Through SALC, Small volunteers with Children's Mercy Hospital and donates to the Greater KC Boys & Girls Club.

 

Academically, Small is a member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), a member of SWE (Society of Women Engineers) and a member of Engineers without Borders.

 

Starting 67 of a possible 68 games in which she has played, Small has proved to be an anchor on the Roos strong defense. A two-time All-WAC First Team selection, Small was named the Preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. She is a part of a Kansas City team that is coming off its second consecutive WAC regular-season title. At the time of nomination, Small and the Kansas City defense was ranked 44th in the nation in goals-against average (.547).

 

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

 

The group of 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season. Those 10 finalists will be placed on an official ballot that is distributed through a nationwide voting system. One female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's of community, classroom, character and competition will be selected.

 

The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2019 NCAA Women's College Cup® championships in December.

 

The 37th Annual Women's College Cup will be held at Avaya Stadium, San Jose, Calif., Dec. 6 and 8.  Last year's WAC champs, Seattle U, fell short in their 2018 first round match up against Stanford. The Wolverines were defeated 3-0 by the eventual 2018 semifinalist.

 

First Round (64)

Nov. 15-17, 2019

On-campus sites TBD

 

Second Round (32)

Nov. 22, 2019

On-campus sites TBD

 

Third Round (16)

Nov. 24, 2019

On-campus sites TBD

 

Quarterfinals (8)

Nov. 29-30, 2019

On campus sites TBD

 

Women's College Cup

Dec. 6-8, 2019

Avaya Stadium

San Jose, Calif.