Kansas City, Mo. – After claiming their third Heart of America Athletic Conference regular-season title in the last four years, the Central Methodist women's soccer team earned six all-conference awards, highlighted by five first team members and Player of the Year, Anika Kallash.
The Eagles, who clinched its second consecutive regular season title with a 10-2 league record, claimed four of the six specialty awards. The Eagles currently rank in the Top-10 for eight different statistical categories and lead the nation with 67 goals this season.
Kallash was also named the Heart Conference Offensive Player of the Year, earning first team all-conference honors for the third-straight season. The Troy, Mo. native finished the fall leading the NAIA and the Heart in goals scored (21) and assists (12). She also sits in the Top-5 of the NAIA in five other statistical categories and is the program's all-time leading scorer, with 77 career goals in only 72 games. In addition, Kallash is the progam leader in career assists (33).
Sophomore Laura Riesenbeck received Defensive Player of the Year honors and jumped from second team all-conference last season to the first team this year. Riesenbeck was a key piece of the Eagles' back line that is ranked No. 3 in the NAIA in total shutouts (9), allowing only six goals in 12 matches this season.
In her first year with the Eagles, freshman forward Sandra Jakobsen was selected as the Heart Freshman of the Year, earning a spot on the first team. Jakobsen is ranked No. 3 in the NAIA for total assists (11) and total points (39). She also sits in the Top-15 in four different statistical categories, and scored two or more goals in four matches this year.
Andrea Villar and Sheila Sanchez were the other two Eagles that earned first team all-conference honors. Sanchez earned first team honors for the second year and in a row, as the Castellon, Spain native is ranked No. 17 in the NAIA in goals against per game (0.540), highlighted by nine shutouts. Villar jumped from second team to first team, finishing the the fall season with four goals and four assists and serving as a key piece to the Central backline.
Rounding out the all-conference honors for CMU was senior forward, Elly Boothe, as she was selected to the second team. Boothe earned the recognition for the first time in her career, recording six goals and 10 assists. Her 10 assists rank her No. 4 in all of the NAIA in 2020.
Central earned the No. 1 seed in the Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament and will host No. 8 Grand View Saturday, April 3 at Davis Field.
To view the complete release of the Heart All-Conference award winners, please click here.
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