WAC Announces Women's Soccer Postseason Honors

11/1/2021 12:00:00 AM

DENVER – The Western Athletic Conference announced its All-WAC women's soccer teams and major awards as selected by the league's 12 head coaches. Grand Canyon swept three out of four major awards as Marleen Schimmer was named WAC Offensive Player of the Year and her teammate Hannah Edwards the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Their coach Chris Cissell earned the WAC Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive year. Utah Valley's Breanna Eves became the only non-Lope to get an award as she is named WAC Freshman of the Year.

Schimmer, a senior forward from Mainz, Germany, led the WAC in goals (12), points (38) and assists (14). She closed the regular season as the most aggressive player in the league with an even number of 100 shots which also puts her second in the NCAA Division I players in shots per game (5.39). Schimmer also led the offensive board in conference macthes with nine goals, 10 assists, and 28 points. Schimmer's offensive contributions put the Lopes at the top of the league in goals (55).

Edwards, a senior defender from Aurora, Colo., anchored the Lopes defensive line that only conceded one conference match loss this season contributing to them clinching them clinching the West Division championship. She helped the Lopes concede the least goals (15) and record the second most shutouts (7) in the league. Edwards contributed the Lopes defensive line that recorded the best goals-against average in the conference, only allowing 0.79 goals per match.

Eves, a midfielder from Springfield, Utah, started in 18 out of 19 matches and all of 10 conference matches for the Wolverines. She finished with a total of two goals and two assists, one of both came in conference play. She recorded a total of 10 shots with six on goal throughout the season. Eves is the second player from Utah Valley to earn WAC Freshman of the Year honors.

Cissell led Grand Canyon to a 7-1-2 record in conference play and capturing the program's first WAC title. In his second season with the Lopes, Cissel led the Lopes to its fifth WAC tournament appearance. He also led the Lopes to its best WAC conference play winning percentage in the program history.

Offensive Player of the Year: Marleen Schimmer, Sr., F, Grand Canyon

Defensive Player of the Year: Hannah Edwards, Sr., D, Grand Canyon

Freshman of the Year: Breanna Eves, Fr., MF, Utah Valley

Coach of the Year: Chris Cissell, Grand Canyon

 

2021 First Team All-WAC

Devyn Kelsey, Sr., D, California Baptist

Hannah Edwards, Sr., D, Grand Canyon

Jenna Shepherd, So., D, Utah Valley

Gianna Gourley, Jr., F, Grand Canyon

Marleen Schimmer, Sr., F, Grand Canyon

Sadie Brockbank, Jr., F, Utah Valley

Amber Tripp, Sr., MF, Utah Valley

Brenna Alderson, So., MF, Grand Canyon

Caylon McMillan, Sr., MF, Stephen F. Austin

Heather Stainbrook, So., MF, Utah Valley

Romy Salvador, Sr., GK, California Baptist

 

2021 Second Team All-WAC

Carli Arthurs, Sr., D, Stephen F. Austin

Sydney Bushman, So., D, Utah Valley

Tess Donaldson, Sr., D, Dixie State

Christine Kitaru, Sr., F, Lamar

Hannah Leitner, Jr., F, NM State

Isela Ramirez, Fr., F, Lamar

Julianna Carter, Jr. F, Utah Valley

Brooke Jones, Jr., MF, Sam Houston

Natalie Jones, Jr. MF, Abilene Christian

Xitlaly Hernandez, Jr. MF, NM State

Nicole Panis, Jr., GK, Lamar

 

Freshman All-WAC Team

Breanna Eves, MF, Utah Valley

Isela Ramirez, F, Lamar

Jayla Gage, F, Chicago State

Jayme Bailey, MF, Stephen F. Austin

Kait Raffensperger, D, Seattle U

Malia Cerdon, MF, California Baptist

Morgan Witz, F, California Baptist

Mya Hammack, MF, NM State

Nicole Ray, MF, Utah Valley

Renee Sainz, MF, Grand Canyon

Thalia Chaverria, D, NM State