2010 Soccer All-Conference Team

11/2/2010 4:15:00 PM

T. William Gooch

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Ogden, Utah (Nov. 2, 2010) -- The Big Sky Conference has announced its 2010 women’s soccer All-Conference teams and individual award winners.  The selections were made in a vote by the league’s eight head coaches Monday morning. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.
Northern Colorado sophomore Danielle Birdsall was named Offensive MVP, while Northern Arizona senior Kristi Andreassen was named Defensive MVP. NAU’s Chelsea Bednarz, a transfer from Santa Clara, was named Newcomer of the Year.

Bridsall finished the season with three goals and three assists in conference play. Her nine points were tops in the conference, making her the Big Sky’s 2010 Golden Boot Award winner. The sophomore from Broomfield, Colo., led a Northern Colorado offense that was the league leader in shots and tied for first in goals. Birdsall started conference play with a bang as she tallied five points in two road matches against Weber State and Idaho State. She assisted on an early goal in match against the Wildcats that ended up in a tie, then scored a goal and assisted on two others in a dominating 3-1 win over the Bengals. Birdsall was the 2010 season’s first Offensive Player of the Week when the Bears beat Wyoming 2-1, she was responsible for both goals.

Andreassen was the only member of the 2010 all-conference team that was an unanimous selection. She is also the only three-time selection. The senior from Tempe, Ariz., was the leader of a defense that set league and school records in consecutive shutouts. The Lumberjacks only allowed three goals in league play and finished the season unbeaten. Andreassen’s play helped Northern Arizona win its first regular season title, also it marks the first time the soccer championship will be played in Flagstaff, Ariz., Andreassen was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week three times this season.

Bednarz transferred to Northern Arizona after two season at Santa Clara. The junior’s solid play helped the Lumberjacks navigate a tough nonconference schedule, as they finished 5-3-2 along with a big win over Loyola-Marymount. She finished with four goals in conference play, putting her in a tie for first with Portland State freshman Eryn Brown. Northern Arizona clinched the regular-season title after two wins over Montana and Eastern Washington. She scored a goal in both matches, including the equalizer that forced overtime against the Eagles.

The 2010 Golden Boot Award is awarded to the player(s) who lead the conference in points collected during league play. Northern Colorado forward Danielle Birdsall tallied three goals and three assists for nine points in seven conference matches. This marks the second time Northern Colorado has had a player win the Golden Boot. Former Bear Jessica Zimmerman was part of a four-way tie for the award in 2008. Northern Colorado started playing in the Big Sky in 2006.

Northern Arizona had four players receive first-team honors in Adreasseen, Tori Rocke, Tori Howe, and Sam Monahan. Portland State, Northern Colorado, and Sacramento State all placed two players on the first team, while Weber State and Montana each had one.

Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, and Sacramento State will compete in the Big Sky Championship this weekend in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Big Sky Conference 2010 Soccer Individual Award Winners

2010 Big Sky Women’s Soccer
All-Conference Teams

FIRST TEAM

*Unanimous Selection   %Two-Time Selection     #Three-Time Selection    $Four-Time Selection

SECOND TEAM

Honorable Mention
                Goalkeepers - Kirstin Salminen, Northern Colorado
                Defenders - Dashia Huff, Eastern Washington; Karissa Henage-Fisher, Idaho State; Lauren Hough, Idaho State; Courtney Watson, Montana; Georgia Foltz, Northern Arizona; Olivia Deadmond, Northern Colorado; Laura Wayland, Northern Colorado; Esty Geiger, Portland State; Erin Tarantino, Sacramento State; Bailey Eames, Weber State
                Forwards - Whitney Brannan, Eastern Washington; Erin Craig, Montana; India Watne, Montana; Jenna Samora, Northern Arizona; Chelsea Bednarz, Northern Arizona; Brittany Dunn, Northern Colorado; Elece McBride, Sacramento State
                Midfielders - Lauren Jacobsen, Eastern Washington; Megan Stainbrook, Idaho State; Frankie Brady, Montana; Brenna Boise, Northern Arizona; Brandy Carr, Northern Arizona; Corie McGuire, Northern Arizona; JJ Wykstra, Northern Colorado; Brittany Knott, Northern Colorado; Hannah Kimsey, Portland State; Victoria Ramirez, Sacramento State