Wednesday, December 9, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – Western Washington defender Delanee Nilles led her team to the Final Four of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships and was awarded as a First Team All-American selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Nilles finished her collegiate soccer career with four straight national tournament appearances and two trips to the Final Four. She led a Vikings defense that allowed just 14 goals in 24 matches, finishing with a 21-2-1 record.

The senior defender was also selected as a Third Team All-American by the Conference Commissioners Association. Western Washington midfielder Savanna Moorehouse and Seattle Pacific forward Hannah Huesers were selected honorable mention.

Additionally, Nilles was selected First Team All-West Region by the NSCAA along with teammate Catherine Miles and Huesers. The GNAC also had seven selections to the region’s second team and four selections to the third team.

Moorehouse and Western Washington goalkeeper Ashley Haden were each selected to the second team. Seattle Pacific added two second teamers with defender Shayla Page and midfielder Isabel Farrell. Concordia defender Shannon McMahon and forward Bobbi Eckler were also selected to the second team along with Simon Fraser freshman forward Christina Dickson.

On the third team, the GNAC placed four players including Western Washington midfielder Emily Webster, Seattle Pacific midfielder Laura Moore, Concordia goalkeeper Olivia Brock and Central Washington forward Mackenzie Nolte.

Led by a balanced attack this season, Western Washington went undefeated in conference play and won the GNAC Women’s Soccer Championships. Led by Nilles, Haden and Webster on the defensive side and Miles and Moorehouse on the offensive side, the Vikings led the GNAC in goals scored and goals against.

Huesers was named the GNAC Player of the Year and the West Region Player of the Year after scoring 31 points and 14 goals. Farrell and Moore led one of the top midfields in the conference with clutch scoring all season. Both SPU midfielders finished the season with four game-winning goals, tied for third in the conference. Page was a First Team All-GNAC defender and helped anchor the Seattle Pacific defense that allowed just 17 goals. Page was also a First Team Academic All-America selection.

Concordia finished in second place during the regular season in its first year as a member of the GNAC. The Cavaliers were led by a defense that allowed just 11 goals in 18 matches. Brock finished with a 0.53 goals against average and a .905 save percentage and McMahon was a shutdown defender in front of the all-region goalkeeper. Eckler scored four goals for the Cavaliers and led the team with 45 shots.

Dickson was named the GNAC Freshman of the Year for Simon Fraser, leading the Clan with 17 points and seven goals. Nolte had three game-winning goals for Central Washington, ranking second on the team with 14 points and four goals.

All-Americans and their accomplishments will be celebrated and recognized at the NSCAA All-America Luncheon held during the 2016 NSCAA Convention in Baltimore on Saturday, Jan. 16.