Friday, December 2, 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. –A trio of Western Washington women’s soccer players represents the GNAC as All-America selections.

Freshman midfielder Morgan Manlili was named to the All-America third team by the Division II College Commissioner’s Association (D2CCA) while senior midfielder Tera Ziemer and junior forward Estera Levinte were named second-team All-America by United Soccer Coaches. The selections come as Western Washington is set to compete in the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship final in Seattle on Saturday.

Manalili has been a rising star in the GNAC this season, shining brightest under the postseason lights. She leads the Vikings and the conference in scoring with 10 goals and five assists, with four goals and two assists coming in six postseason matches. Manalili was also named First Team All-GNAC and selected as GNAC Freshman of the Year. Her six game-winning goals ranks fifth in Division II.

Ziemer is a third-time United Soccer Coaches All-America selection after starting all 24 matches for the Vikings in their run up to the NCAA final. The First Team All-GNAC midfielder has been one of the top scoring threats in the conference and ranks seventh with five goals and four assists. Ziemer added one of those goals and one assist in the postseason as a consistent offensive creator for WWU.

Levinte’s scoring prowess has been second only to Manalili, racking up seven goals and eight assists to tie for second in scoring across the GNAC. Another First Team All-GNAC honoree, Levinte has started every match for the Vikings and leads the team with 78 shots, averaging 3.25 per match. Four of her assists and one goal have come in Western Washington’s postseason run.

The three All-America players will join their teammates on the pitch Saturday to face West Chester at Interbay Stadium in Seattle for the final of the NCAA Championships.