Utah State soccer players earn All-Mountain West honors

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State soccer has had five players named to various all-Mountain West teams, as it was announced by the league Monday afternoon. The teams and individual awards were nominated and voted on by the 12 coaches in the conference with criteria based on the student-athletes’ performance in Mountain West matches.

Senior forward Jessica Brooksby and sophomore defender Kelsey Andersen were named to the all-Mountain West first-team, while junior forward Wesley Hamblin and senior midfielder Jayne Robison-Merrill received second-team honors. Freshman defender Mealii Enos was named to the all-newcomer team, honoring freshman and transfer players.

The five honorees are the most the Utah State team has had in a season since joining the Mountain West. It is also the most all-conference accolades the Aggies have had since 2012, when five players earned all-WAC honors.

Brooksby led the Aggies and ranked second in the Mountain West in goals scored with six during conference play, including three game-winners. She also added a team-high four assists in league action, adding to a season total of nine, which ties the program’s single-season assist record. This is Brooksby’s second all-Mountain West recognition, as she was also named to the first-team a year ago.

Andersen anchored the USU defense this season, playing every minute of every conference match. The Aggies allowed a conference-low nine goals during league play, while also helping the team goalkeepers to the lowest goals against average in the league. Andersen is the first Utah State sophomore to receive first-team all-conference accolades since Natalie Norris did so in 2010.

Hamblin was second in scoring for the Aggies this season, finishing conference play with four goals and four assists. With the award, she adds to her resume as she was named to the all-Mountain West honorable mention team last season.

Robison-Merrill led the Utah State midfield this season, playing a balance of an attacking and defending role. She scored one goal with one assist during conference play and had a team-best shot on-goal percentage of .667 (6-of-9). This is the first all-conference award of her career.

Enos had a strong debut season for the Aggies, starting all but two matches of the season on the backline. Along with Andersen, she played a key role in limiting the goals allowed by the Utah State defense, helping the team to four shutouts against Mountain West opponents. The all-newcomer team is a new addition to the conference’s postseason awards this year. Enos is the first USU freshman to receive all-conference accolades since Taryn Rose was named the WAC Freshman of the Year in 2011.

UNLV senior forward Lily Sender was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, while Rebels’ junior defender Chidera Akubuilo garnered Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Boise State freshman forward Raimee Sherle earned MW Newcomer of the Year honors and Chris Shaw of UNLV was tabbed the Coach of the Year.

Utah State (11-8-0, 7-4-0 MW) returns to action this week in the Mountain West Championship. The Aggies will open tournament play against Wyoming (10-7-2, 6-4-1 MW) on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 5 p.m. (MT) at San Diego State.

Fans can follow the Aggie soccer program on Twitter at @USUSoccer or on Facebook at /USUSoccer. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at @USUAthletics or on Facebook at /USUAthletics. Aggie soccer can also be followed on Instagram at @ususoccer.

-USU-

<strong>Offensive Player of the Year: Lily Sender, Sr., F, UNLV</strong>

<strong>Defensive Player of the Year: Chidera Akubuilo, Jr., D, UNLV</strong>

<strong>Newcomer of the Year: Raimee Sherle, Fr., F, Boise State</strong>

<strong>Coach of the Year: Chris Shaw, UNLV</strong>

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><strong>2016 Mountain West Women’s Soccer All-Conference First Team</strong></span>

Name   Class   Position  Team

Janelle Flores Jr. GK Boise State

Raimee Sherle Fr. MF Boise State

Victoria Barba Sr. MF San Diego State

Dorthe Hoppius Jr. F San José State

Chidera Akubuilo Jr. D UNLV

Sophia Cortes Jr. MF UNLV

Jordan Magnin Sr. MF UNLV

Lily Sender Sr. F UNLV

Hayley Wilson Sr. D UNLV

<em>Kelsey Andersen So. D Utah State</em>

<em>Jessica Brooksby Sr. F Utah State</em>

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><strong>2016 Mountain West Women’s Soccer All-Conference Second Team</strong></span>

Name   Class   Position  Team

Myra Delgadillo Jr. F Fresno State

Maddie Irwin Sr. MF New Mexico

Stacie Moran Jr. D San Diego State

Aliyah Utush Jr. F San Diego State

Kristen Amarikwa Fr. D San José State

Maricruz Chapa Sr. MF San José State

Alexis Venegas Sr. MF San José State

Myia Wilkes Jr. D San José State

Susie Bernal Sr. F UNLV

Jordan Sallee Jr. GK UNLV

<em>Wesley Hamblin Jr. F Utah State</em>

<em>Jayne Robison-Merrill Sr. MF Utah State</em>

<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><strong>2016 Mountain West Women’s Soccer All-Newcomer Team</strong></span>

Name    Class     Position    Team

Kasey Stavig Fr. D Air Force

Mikayla Schachtell Fr. MF Boise State

Raimee Sherle Fr. MF Boise State

Aleesa Muir Fr. D Colorado College

Julia Glaser Fr. F Fresno State

Kristen Amarikwa Fr. D San José State

Yaritza Arista Jr. MF San José State

Paige Almendariz Fr. D UNLV

Georgia Kingman Fr. MF UNLV

<em>Mealii Enos Fr. D Utah State</em>

Michaela Stark Fr. F Wyoming

Note: Due to a tie in the voting, there are 12 student-athletes on the All-Conference Second Team.

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Posted in USU