Soccer Announces Team Award Winners

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Posted: Sunday, December 9, 2007

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - UW-Eau Claire soccer coach Sean Yengo recently announced the 2007 team award winners at its end-of-the-year banquet.

Defender Anna Talbot (Sr. - Apple Valley, MN/Eastview) was named the team Most Valuable Player, Practice Player of the Year, Blugold Olympics Champion and Heading Clearance challenge Champion. Talbot was named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was also named to the All-WIAC team. Talbot was a part of a Blugold defense that was first in the league for goals allowed (0.48/game) and goals against average (0.46/game). The Blugolds defense also led the league in shutouts with 14.

Forward Amy Smith (Jr. - Bloomington, MN/Thomas Jefferson) was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Smith was named to the All-WIAC team; she is a second time All-WIAC selection. Smith scored 13 goals for the Blugolds and had 10 assists. Smith was third in the WIAC for total points with 36. Smith was also third in the league for goals (13) and second in the league for assists (10). Smith was a part of a Blugolds offense that led the WIAC with 109 corner kicks this season.

Defender Allison Smith (Jr. - Bloomington, MN/Thomas Jefferson) was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Smith was also named to the All-WIAC team this season. Smith is a three-time All-WIAC selection. Smith had two goals and eight assists on the season. Smith was fourth in the WIAC for assists with eight.

Allison Muer (Jr.- Minneapolis, MN/South) and Liz Kooistra (Jr.- Lakeville, MN) received the Playmaker of the Year award. Muer had three goals and two assists for the Blugolds on the season. Muer is also was named to the All-WIAC team this season. Kooistra, a three-time All-WIAC choice, had eight goals and seven assists for Eau Claire. Kooistra was tied for sixth in the WIAC for total points with 23. Kooistra was sixth in the league with seven assists.

Midfielder Allison Mater (Fr. - Elm Grove, WI/Brookfield East) received the Most Improved Player award and won the Long Range Shooting competition. The Golden Shoe Award was presented to defender Abby Ofstedahl (Sr. - Apple Valley MN/Eastview). This is the second straight year Ofstedahl has won this award.

Midfielder/defender Cassie Peeters (Jr. - Little Chute, WI) was the champion of the 1v1 competition. Midfielder/forward Sam Krueger (So. - Elkhorn, WI) was the Heading Challenge champion.

Midfielder Gina Christenbury (Fr. - Pleasant Prairie, WI/Kenosha Tremper) received the Alumni Freshman Player of the Year award. Christenbury had six goals and one assist on the season.

The Blugolds, 18-2-2, made their third trip ever to the NCAA Tournament and their third in as many years. Eau Claire played its first home games ever in NCAA Tournament Play. The Blugolds won their third consecutive WIAC Championship this season.

The Blugolds had seven players selected to the All-WIAC team, tied for most in Eau Claire history with the 2006-2007 squad. Named to the All-WIAC team were Player of the Year defender Anna Talbot, forward Liz Kooistra, midfielder Haelee Maurer, midfielder Allison Muer, goalie Allie Rivard, defender Allison Smith, and forward Amy Smith. Head Coach Sean Yengo also claimed his third consecutive WIAC Coach of the Year honor. Talbot is the second ever Blugold selected as the Player of the Year.

Yengo presented 27 athletes with letters including Jana Huebner, Abby Ofstedahl, and Anna Talbot who each earned a fourth-year award. Liz Kooistra, Jessica Millard, Allison Muer, Cassie Peeters, Allie Rivard, Allison Smith, Amy Smith, and Liz Weirick each earned a third-year award. Second-year award winners are Shannon Conlin, Sam Krueger, and Amanda Shelton. Out of the 27 letter winners 13 were first year letter winners, they