Thursday, December 6, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. -  Three Western Washington players have been named to NCAA Division II All-Americans teams.  Meanwhile Viking coach Travis Connell has been selected as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America West Region Coach of the Year.

Connell guided the Vikings to a 19-4 record this fall and to the GNAC regular-season and conference tournament titles.  WWU reached the West Regional title game before losing to UC San Diego 2-1.

WWU goalkeeper Jamie Arthur earned two All-American selections.  Arthur, who led the nation in goals against average (0.39) and recorded a GNAC-record 16 shutouts, was a second team selection to both the NSCAA (Coaches) and Daktronics (SIDs) All-American teams.

Joining Arthurs on the NSCAA All-American team was WWU defender Brina Sych.  Seattle Pacific forward Megan Lindsay was also a second team selection.

Western Washington forward Kristin Maris earned Daktronics All-American honorable mention honors.

Following is a complete list of GNAC players selected to the NSCAA and Daktronics All-American and All-Region teams:

ALL-AMERICAN

NSCAA: Second Team – Jamie Arthurs, WWU (GK, Sr., Richland, WA); Brina Sych, WWU (D, Jr., Vancouver, WA); Megan Lindsay, SPU (F, Sr., Spokane, WA). 

Daktronics: Second Team – Jamie Arthurs, WWU (GK, Sr., Richland, WA).  Honorable Mention – Kristin Maris, WWU (F, Jr., Issaquah, WA).

ALL-REGION

NSCAA: First Team – Jamie Arthurs, WWU (GK, Sr., Richland, WA); Brina Sych, WWU (D, Jr., Vancouver, WA); Kim Cooper, WWU (M, So., Bellingham, WA); Jaucelyn Richter, MSU Billings (M, Sr., Billings, MT); Megan Lindsay, SPU (F, Sr., Spokane, WA); Kristin Maris, WWU (F, Jr., Issaquah, WA). Second Team -  Brianna Jones, WWU (D, So., Bonney Lake, WA); Josie Graybeal, SPU (D, Jr., Gig Harbor, WA); Jennifer Larsen,MSUB (D, Sr., Mesa, AZ); Joana Houplin, WWU (F, Sr., Olympia, WA); Ali Martin, SPU (F, So., Beaverton, OR). Third Team – Aiko Johnson, MSUB (GK, Fr., Fullerton, CA); Sarah Staropoli, NNU (M, Sr., Beaverton, OR); Heidi Greenback, MSUB (F, Jr., Woodinville, WA); Carson McKole, CWU (F, Sr., Oak Harbor, WA).

DAKTRONICS WEST REGION: First Team - Jamie Arthurs, WWU (GK, Sr., Richland, WA); Megan Lindsay, SPU (F, Sr., Spokane, WA); Kristin Maris, WWU (F, Jr., Issaquah, WA);  Brina Sych, WWU (D, Jr., Vancouver, WA). Second Team - Heidi Greenback, MSUB (F, Jr., Woodinville, WA); Jaucelyn Richter, MSUB (M, Sr., Billings, MT); Shayla Page, SPU (D, Fr., Redmond, WA); Brianna Jones, WWU (D, So., Bonney Lake, WA);  Jennifer Larsen,MSUB (D, Sr., Mesa, AZ).