CARMEL, INDIANA – After securing their second consecutive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) regular season championship, the Mount St. Joseph women's soccer team earned nine all-league awards, in announcement made today by the league. The Lions secured four of the five marquee awards, had five players earn first-team honors, two were named second-team and one third team.
Mary Anhofer was named the HCAC's Midfielder of the Year, while also earning first team all-league honors. She finished the season second on the team with 19 points (4 goals and 11 assists). The 11 assists she registered were a tie for the second most in a season in the history of the MSJ women's soccer program.
Kendal Fox was named the leagues Offensive Player of the Year, and was also a first team all-league selection. She led the Lions with 12 goals scored on the year including 6 that proved to be game winners. She added three assists, to total an impressive 27 points. Fox's 12 goals were the most for a Lions since 2018. This is the second year in a row a Lion has been the offensive player of the year as
Ella Pittman took home the honors a season ago.
Preslee Rugg was named the leagues Newcomer of the Year, and a first-team selection after a fantastic first season in the blue and gold. She netted an impressive seven goals in her first campaign to go along with three assists. Rugg joins former Lions standout McKenzie Schneeman as the most recent winner of this award for MSJ, Schneeman won the award in 2021.
The final marquee award win for the Lions goes to coach
Darren Gallagher who was named the leagues Coach of the Year for the third time in just five seasons at the Mount. When asked about this accomplishment coach Gallagher deferred to his team and coaching staff, "It is an impressive feat to claim back to back Heartland Conference League Championships and I give so much credit to the players! I would be remiss if I did not give credit to our dedicated staff who give up time away from their families and give everything to support the player experience positively. I am looking forward to the next step in the evolution of our program as we build upon these past two seasons and the 2024 NCAA Tournament appearance".
Joining Fox and Anhofer on the first-team were defender
McKinzie Dotson and midfielder
Rachel Ginn. Dotson continued to be a stalwart at centerback for the Lions, helping the team register six clean sheets on the season. Ginn was a key playmaker for the team helping on both ends of the pitch, scoring three goals and adding three assists.
Elizabeth Birri and
Payge Callahan earned Second Team All-HCAC honors. Birri was a key goal-scoring defender on the Lions' back line, contributing 3 goals on the season. Callahan also made her presence felt offensively, adding 1 goal and 2 assists while anchoring the defense. Khole Young was named to the Third Team All-HCAC, rounding out the Lions' standout list of conference honorees.
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