Nov. 12, 2009 – The Truman women’s soccer team had seven players named MIAA all-conference, including a league-best five to the first-team, as released Thursday by the conference office. Seniors Katie Reuck (Jacksonville, Ill.; Jacksonville), Kelsey Richters (Lincoln, Neb.; Lincoln East) and Theresa Bauler (Naperville, Ill.; Naperville Central) were joined by sophomore Megan Buri (Parkville, Mo.; Park Hill South) and freshman Olivia Hayes (Clayton, Mo.; Clayton) on the first-team, with Hayes picking up freshman of the year honors.
Freshman Kelsey Twellman (St. Louis, Mo.; Incarnate Word) received second-team accolades, while sophomore Jayne Grisham (Bridgeton, Mo.; Ursuline Academy) was named an honorable mention goalkeeper. Head coach Mike Cannon garnered his eighth MIAA coach of the year award after leading the Bulldogs to their ninth MIAA championship in 11 seasons.
Reuck and Hayes were both unanimous choices to the first-team, as Reuck picked up her third straight first-team selection. Hayes leads all Bulldogs with 12 goals, while Reuck finished the regular season tied for second on the team with five.
Richters, Bauler and Grisham were members of a back line that allowed just 12 goals in nearly 1,900 minutes of action this season. The Bulldog defense posted 13 shutouts during the regular season, setting a new high for the program since 2004. Both Bauler and Richters started all 20 matches during the regular season.
Buri and Twellman each distributed five assists from the midfield position after playing in all 20 regular season matches. Twellman added three goals to tie for fourth on the squad in total points, while Buri netted two goals of her own.
The five first-team selections for Truman marked the most since 2003 when seven Bulldogs were named to the conference’s top squad. Selections for the all-conference teams were made by the league's nine head coaches, and coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Nebraska-Omaha forward Nicole Baier was named the 2009 MIAA Player of the Year after leading the conference in both goals and assists.
The Bulldogs will be competing in their eighth NCAA tournament – all under the direction of Cannon – starting Friday, as 4th-seeded Truman will face 5th-seeded UNO in the first round of the South Central regional at 12 pm in Canyon, Texas. The winner will advance to face top-seeded West Texas A&M in second round play on Sunday at 1 pm.
2009 ALL-MIAA SOCCER TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nicole Baier, RFr., F, Nebraska-Omaha
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Olivia Hayes, F, Truman
COACH OF THE YEAR: Mike Cannon, Truman
FIRST TEAM
GK: Kira Lazenby, Sr., Northwest Missouri
D: Theresa Bauler, Sr., Truman
D: Kelsey Richters, Sr., Truman
D: Megan Jensen, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha
D: Jenna Stones, Fr., Central Missouri
MF: Katie Reuck, Sr., Truman** [r1][r1]
MF: Megan Buri, So., Truman
MF: Alyssa Rhodes, So., Central Missouri [r1]
F: Olivia Hayes, Fr., Truman**
F: Melanie Hall, Sr., Central Missouri** [r1]
F: Nicole Baier, Fr., Nebraska-Omaha**
F: Jessica Powers, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha
**Unanimous Selection
[r1] - Repeat first team selection from last season
[r1][r1] - Repeat first team selection from the last two seasons
SECOND TEAM
GK: Lauren Bamvakais, Sr., Central Missouri
D: Katie O’Keefe, So., Central Missouri
D: Jessica Braun, Sr., Northwest Missouri
D: Audrey Copenhaver, So., Missouri Southern
D: Jessica Decker, So., Emporia State
D: Caitlin Tull, Sr., Southwest Baptist
D: Dani Sicard, Jr., Washburn
MF: Kelsey Twellman, Fr., Truman
MF: Lauren Henry, So., Washburn
MF: Kayla Shain, Fr., Central Missouri
F: Abby Widrig, Fr., Missouri Western
F: Andrea Tritz, Sr., Northwest Missouri
F: Leah Talley, Fr., Washburn
F: Tia Stovall, Fr., Washburn
[Note: Ties in voting created two additional spots at defender]
HONORABLE MENTION
Truman: Jayne Grisham, So., GK
Central Missouri: Kelsie Hanson, Fr., MF; Cara Hennahane, So., F
Emporia State: Tessa Pettyjohn, So., D
Missouri Southern: Jentri White, Sr., MF; Michelle Dimza, So., MF; Stephanie Heines, Sr., F
Missouri Western: Molly Slattery, So., D; Erin Widrig, Fr., D; Ashlyn Castillo, Fr., MF; Jessica Martin, Jr., F; Audrey Henderson, So., F
Nebraska-Omaha: Lauren Fox, Jr., GK
Northwest Missouri: Jacque Dedovesh, So., D; Heidi Sobota, Sr., MF; Sara Meidlinger, Sr., MF
Southwest Baptist: Megan Link, Fr., GK; Taylor Vick, Fr., D/F; Vanessa Roher, Sr., D; Kelly Isaac, So., MF; Lindsey Boden, Jr., MF; Jaymye Ross, Jr., F
Washburn: Jordan Shefte, Jr., D; Angela Wiseman, Sr., MF; Ashley Taylor, Sr., F