Kansas City, Mo. - After the best postseason run in program history, the Central Methodist women's soccer program garnered four NAIA All-Americans.
Sophomore defender Laura Riesenbeck was tabbed a NAIA Second Team All-American, while freshman Sandra Jakobsen and senior Anika Kallash landed on the third team. Andrea Villar rounded out the All-America selections for the Eagles, as the Madrid, Spain native was recongnized as honorable mention. It marks the largest All-American class for CMU in program history.
Riesenbeck garnered several honors in her sophomore campaign, as she was tabbed as the Heart Defensive Player of the Year and Heart First Team All-Conference. Riesenbeck was a key piece of the Eagles' back line that recorded an NAIA leading 16 shutouts. She is only the second player in program history to earn Second Team All-America honors.
Kallash concludes her career as a two-time NAIA All-American and the most decorated player in program history. The Troy, Mo. native was named the Heart Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and a first team all-conference performaner for the third-straight season. Kallash finished second in the NAIA and led the Heart in goals scored (29). She also sits in the Top 10 of the NAIA in seven other statistical categories. She wraps her career as the program's all-time leading scorer, with 85 career goals in 81 games. In addition, Kallash is the progam leader in career assists (36).
Jakobsen was a welcome addition to the Eagles front line in 2020, as she was tabbed the Heart Freshman of the Year, a Heart First Team All-Conference performer, and a NAIA Second Time All-American. She finished her freshman campaign No. 5 in the nation in total points (55) No. 6 in total assists (15) and goals (20). For her remarkable run in the national tournament, Jakobsen was also named to the all-tournament team.
Villar rounds out the all-america honorees, as the Madrin, Spain native was named honorable mention for the first time in her career. She was named a First Team All-Conference performer in 2020, setting new career highs in goals scored (8), assists (7), shots (78), and shots on goal (41).
The Eagles finished the season with a 20-4-1 overall record and their first-ever trip to the national quarterfinals. The 20 wins are the second-most in the last 15 years in program history along, with back-to-back regular season and conference tournament titles.
To view the complete list of NAIA Women's Soccer All-America selections, please click here.
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