Tuesday, October 30, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. – Assisting Simon Fraser to its highest GNAC finish since 2010, Clan midfielder Jenna-lee Baxter was named the GNAC Player of the Year to lead the selections on the 2018 GNAC Women’s Soccer All-Conference Team.

Baxter's team finished regular season play with a record of 10-5-1, highlighted by a red-hot start to conference play that saw SFU win seven of its first nine matches. The senior was as explosive an attacker as anyone in the conference, recording 11 goals and 10 assists on the season. Joining Baxter from Simon Fraser as a first-team selection was forward Emma Pringle.

In her fifth year as the Clan's head coach, Annie Hamel earned the Coach of the Year award after guiding her club to its second GNAC Championships appearance in the last three years. The Clan finished the season in a tie for third on the GNAC table.

Reigning in the Defensive Player of the Year award was Seattle Pacific senior Julia DeVere. In her final season with the Falcons, DeVere started all 18 matches and recorded 15 points from her defender position. She spearheaded SPU's defensive dominance throughout much of the 2018 campaign, one that resulted in the team finishing third in the conference in goals allowed (15), goals against average (0.81) and shutouts (eight). 

Western Washington swept both the Freshman and Newcomer of the Year awards. Forward Dayana Diaz was named the GNAC Freshman of the Year after tying for first on the Vikings in both goals (seven) and points (15). Goalkeeper Natalie Dierickx received the Newcomer of the Year nod from the conference coaches. The Colorado State transfer ranks inside the top-20 nationally in both goals against average (0.41) and save percentage (.875).

Of the 11 First Team All-GNAC players, seven were unanimous selections. The Vikings had the most representatives on the team in the form of two defenders, one forward, one midfielder and one goalkeeper.

Earning Second Team All-GNAC accolades last season, senior defender Taylor Hallquist tallied 11 points and appeared in 17 matches to earn a spot on the first team. She was joined by fellow defender Emily Nelson, who shined after being named an honorable mention as a sophomore in 2017.

Senior Gabriela Pelogi and Dierickx joined the team in the forward and goalkeeper positions. Pelogi, earning her third consecutive First Team nod, ranks third in the GNAC in goals per match (0.47) and second in game-winning goals with four. Rounding out the selections was midfielder Grace Eversaul, who scored four goals and appeared in 16 matches this season.

Baxter headlined the pair of selections for Simon Fraser. She racked up points on a nightly basis in 2018, finishing the regular season with a team-leading 32. She was also tied for first on the Clan in goals with Pringle at 11. The B.C.-native started all 16 matches in her junior season and received her third straight first team selection after tallying 11 goals and a pair of assists. 

After earning honorable mention nods a year ago, Seattle Pacific's DeVere and Sophia Chilczuk were unanimous first team selections in 2018. DeVere earned the league's top defensive honor after being one of the team's highest point-scorers from her position, while Chilzuk compiled 19 points on eight goals and three assists. The sophomore finished the regular season ranked third in the GNAC in both points and goals. 

Rounding out the first-team selections are Concordia midfielders Gabrielle Ewing and Kasey Ames. One of the most reliable options for the Cavaliers' offensive attack, Ewing was tied for first on the team with seven goals in 16 matches. She created a team-high 48 shots this season, ranking fourth in the conference.

Ames provided a strong balance at the center of the pitch for CU. The senior built on a solid 2017 campaign and started in all 16 matches. She helped lead her team to a second-place finish in a year that featured just one defeat.

The GNAC Championships begin this Thursday at 4 p.m. at Tuominen Yard in Portland. No. 6 and top-seeded Western Washington will look to build on the momentum garnered from its regular-season title in the first semifinal against No. 4 seed Simon Fraser. The No. 2-seed and 17th-ranked Cavaliers will then host the nightcap against the tournament's No. 3 seed in Seattle Pacific.

GNAC 2018 WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
Player of the Year: Jenna-lee Baxter, Simon Fraser
Coach of the Year: Annie Hamel, Simon Fraser
Defensive Player of the Year: Julia DeVere, Seattle Pacific
Freshman of the Year: Dayana Diaz, Western Washington
Newcomer of the Year: Natalie Dierickx, Western Washington

* - Unanimous Selection
+ - First Team Selection In 2017
# - Second Team Selection In 2017
@ - Honorable Mention Selection In 2017
! - First Team Selection In 2016
& - Second Team Selection In 2016
$ - Honorable Mention Selection In 2016
^ - Honorable Mention Selection In 2015