Eastern Michigan Athletics

WSOC Academic All-MAC

Soccer Lands 11 on Academic All-MAC Team

11/17/2016 12:53:00 PM | Soccer

EMU's 11 selections ranked tied for fifth in the MAC

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team landed 11 student-athletes on the Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team, the league announced Thursday, Nov. 17.  A total of 124 student-athletes were named to the team.

EMU's 11 selections tied for the fifth-most in the conference. Central Michigan led the league with 15 awardees, while Western Michigan's 13 ranked second. Northern Illinois and Miami had 12 each to round out the top-four.

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. Freshmen are not eligible for the award.

Earning the honor for the Eagles were: senior Stef Barcelos (Mississauga, Ontario-St. Marcelinus), redshirt senior Jennifer Bentley (London, Ontario-London), redshirt freshman Mia Colavito (Mississauga, Ontario-Loyola Catholic), sophomore Peyton Davis (North Ridgeville, Ohio-Holy Name), senior Madison Hirsch (Troy, Mich.-Troy), senior Gabriella Mancini (Troy, Mich.-Troy), senior Michelle Rollins (Hartland, Mich.-Hartland), redshirt senior Ellie Tillar (Cincinnati, Ohio-Turpin), junior Chanel Vani (Brampton, Ontario-Cardinal Leger), junior Alex Wilbanks (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln), and sophomore Kaylin Williams (Kansas City, Mo.-Winnetonka).

Barcelos, a communication major with a 3.70 GPA, started all 20 games for the Eagles at center back. Making the transition to the defensive end of the pitch in her final season with EMU, Barcelos helped the Green and White to five shutouts. Additionally, the Mississauga, Ontario native registered two goals and an assist for a total of five points. 

A graduate student pursuing her MBA, Bentley boasts a 3.61 GPA. As a captain, Bentley provided the Eagles with stout defense at outside back. The London, Ontario product recorded two shots on the year, putting one on frame, while starting every match on defense. Bentley led Eastern to five shutouts as a shut down defender.

A history major, Colavito is one of 12 MAC players to hold a 4.00 grade point average. The redshirt freshman appeared in 19 games for the Eagles as a reserve, compiling three shots, with one on target.

Davis, a biology major with a 3.24 GPA, was one of five Eagles to score multiple goals this season. Appearing in all 20 games and starting 12, Davis found the back of the net twice for a total of four points. The North Ridgeville, Ohio native rattled off 16 shots during the course of the season, putting five on frame.

Hirsch reeled in the third Academic All-MAC award of her career after her final season donning the Green and White. A psychology major with a 3.79 grade point average, Hirsch started all 20 games, compiling three points on one goal and one assist.

A special education major owning a 3.91 GPA, Mancini garnered Academic All-MAC accolades for the third time in her career. Mancini registered 17 shots, putting six on goal, while tallying a helper on Davis' goal against Bowling Green, Oct. 6. 

Rollins, a criminology major with a 3.44 grade point average, appeared in all 20 matches for the Green and White. Making 13 starts, Rollins scored two goals and added two assists in her final season. Recording 27 shots with 11 on frame, Rollins was credited with the game-winning goal against Oregon State, Sept. 11. Additionally, Rollins was credited with the helper on Nicole Remedios' game-winner against Green Bay, Sept. 2. 

A First Team All-MAC selection, Tillar lands on the Academic All-MAC squad as a special education major with a 3.53 GPA. A captain on this year's team, the gritty midfielder set career-highs in goals, assists, points, minutes, shots, shots on goal, and game-winners in her final season donning the Green and White. A team captain this season, she led the team with five goals and tied for the team-lead with three assists, totaling a team-best 13 points. The career year pushed Tillar's career point total to 24, the 22nd-most in EMU history. Additionally, Tillar provided the Eagles with two game-winners over the course of the season, both of which came during a six-game unbeaten streak that catapulted the Eagles into the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2014. The first lifted the Eagles to a 2-1 win over Bowling Green, Oct. 6, before Tillar's tally led the Eagles to a 1-nil win over Akron, Oct. 23.

Coming off an injury, Vani vaulted into the starting 11 midway through the season. Playing in 18 games and  making 11 starts, Vani boasts a 3.85 GPA as an exercise science major. A speedy outside back, Vani helped the Eagles to five clean sheets, while adding contributions on the offensive side of the pitch as well. The Brampton, Ontario product racked up a career-high three assists throughout the year.

Wilbanks, an exercise science major with a 3.59 grade point average, turned in the best season of her career in 2016. Appearing in 17 matches for the Eagles off the bench, Wilbanks posted career-highs in minutes played, goals, assists, points, shots, and shots on goal. The Ypsilanti native netted the first goal of her career against Miami, Oct. 2, hammering home a strike in the 54th minute to even the score. Wilbanks finished the season with a goal and an assist for a total of three points.

In her second season in between the posts for the Eagles, Williams was rock solid, ultimately earning Second Team All-MAC honors. A criminology major with a 3.62 GPA, the sophomore keeper led the league in minutes in her first full season as EMU's starting goalkeeper, playing a total of 1907:07 for the Eagles. The Kansas City, Mo. made a career-high 81 saves while facing 227 shots. Notching a career-best five shutouts, Williams finished the season with a 6-10-4 overall record. Additionally, Williams became the first goal keeper to receive All-MAC honors since Monique Budani was named First-Team All-MAC in 2010..

The Eagles' season came to a close in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals, Oct. 30, against Kent State. EMU concluded the season with a 6-10-4 overall record and finished fourth in the West Division and seventh overall in the MAC.

2016 Women's Soccer Academic All-MAC Team
Abby Gindlesberger, Akron, Senior, 3.839, Biochemistry
Annabelle Hegeman, Akron, Senior, 3.565, AYA – Integrated Mathematics
Madison Kaser, Akron, Senior, 3.880, Biology
Karin Norman, Akron, Senior, 3.599, Business Administration
Sydney Schipani, Akron, Junior, 3.887, Mechanical Engineering
Erica Schrader, Akron, Sophomore, 3.442, Exercise Science
Sarah Sivic, Akron, Senior, 3.736, Accounting
Sydney Sleek, Akron, Sophomore, 3.687, AYA – Integrated Language Arts
Hannah Werth, Akron, Senior, 3.850, exercise physiology
Allison Abbe, Ball State, Junior, 3.23, Psychological Science
Alessandra Fistrovich, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.87, Chemistry
Shannon Greeley, Ball State, Junior, 3.89, Advertising
Alyssa Heintschel, Ball State, Junior, 4.0, Chemistry
Leah Mattingly, Ball State, Senior, 3.90, Interior Design
Chay McNitt, Ball State, Senior, 3.53, Geography
Taylor Pooley, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.82, Psychological Science
Lauren Roll, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.77, Public Relations
Emily Scott, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.98, Organizational Communication
Gabby Veldman, Ball State, Senior, 3.79, Exercise Science
Lucy Walton, Ball State, Junior, 3.74, Elementary Education
Morgan Abbitt, Bowling Green, Sophomore, 3.666, Mathematics
Alexa Cheripko, Bowling Green, Senior, 4.000, Biology
Alexis Fricke, Bowling Green, Sophomore, 3.482, Gerontology
Melissa Needham, Bowling Green, Senior, 3.971, Exercise Science
Jennifer Reyes, Bowling Green, Redshirt Sophomore, 3.218, Human Development and Family Studies
Madison Schupbach, Bowling Green, Junior, 3.241, Sales and Services Marketing
Rachel Winters, Bowling Green, Junior, 3.389, Finance
Julia Benati, Buffalo, Junior, 3.984, Exercise Science
Carissima Cutrona, Buffalo, Junior, 3.907, Social Sciences
Laura Dougall, Buffalo, Junior, 3.386, Psychology
Ashley Evans, Buffalo, Senior, 3.346, Occupational Therapy
Nicole Gerritz, Buffalo, Sophomore, 4.0, Structural & Environmental Engineering
Jessica Marlowe, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.632, Speech and Hearing Science
Andrea Niper, Buffalo, Senior, 4.0, Economics
Meghan Simmons, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.491, Exercise Science
Savannah Beetcher, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.84, Exercise Science/Kinesiology
Mary Carlson, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.78, Undecided
Christen Chiesa, Central Michigan, Senior, 4.00, Exercise Science/Kinesiology
Madison Costner, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.66, Undecided
Kaylin Hoomaian, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.99, Exercise Science/Kinesiology
Kristen Knutson, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.90, Sports Administration (Graduate)
Shannon Magnan, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.54, Undecided
Samantha Maher, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.34, Exercise Science/Kinesiology
McKay Matheson, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.74, Mechanical Engineering
Madison Pogarch, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.32, Undecided
Taylor Potts, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.34, Physical Education
Jamie Rademacher, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.21, Sociology/Social & Criminal Justice
Lauren Sherry, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.37, Human Resources Management
Meghan Sweeney, Central Michigan, Junior, 3.48, Exercise Science/Kinesiology
Eliza van de Kerkhove, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.88, Outdoor & Environmental Recreation
Stef Barcelos, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.70, Communications
Jennifer Bentley, Eastern Michigan, Redshirt senior, 3.61, MBA
Mia Colavito, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 4.00, History
Peyton Davis, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.24, Biology
Madison Hirsch, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.79, Psychology
Gabriella Mancini, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.91, Special education/elementary education
Michelle Rollins, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.44, Criminology
Ellie Tillar, Eastern Michigan, Redshirt senior, 3.53, Special education
Chanel Vani, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.85, Exercise science
Alex Wilbanks, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.59, Exercise science
Kaylin Williams, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.62, Criminology

Kristen Brots, Kent State, Junior, 3.82, Nursing
Donavan Capehart, Kent State, Junior, 3.736, Business Management
Paige Culver, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.548, Managerial Marketing
Jaime Eiben, Kent State, Junior, 3.99, Actuarial Mathematics
Abbie Lawson, Kent State, Senior, 3.96, Marketing (Advertising, Event Planning minors)
Mackenzie Lesnick, Kent State, Junior, 3.73, Nursing
Brittany Maisano, Kent State, Senior, 3.99, Fashion Design (Fashion Media minor)
Ashleah McDonald, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.99, Biology/Pre-med
Karli Paracca, Kent State, Junior, 4.0, Physical Education
Hayden Pascoe, Kent State, Junior, 3.24, Accounting
Cassandra Sauter, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.76, Economics
Jenny Barr, Miami, Junior, 3.43, Marketing
Tori Christiansen, Miami, Sophomore, 3.87, Undeclared
Stephanie Dillon, Miami, Senior, 3.36, Marketing
Madison Knock, Miami, Junior, 3.65, Kinesiology
Vic Maniaci, Miami, Senior, 3.79, Kinesiology
Rachel Marble, Miami, Senior, 3.47, Public Health & Marketing
Bianca Medancic, Miami, Sophomore, 3.71, Undeclared
Dana Miller, Miami, Senior, 3.78, Kinesiology
Jenn Rowe, Miami, Junior, 4.0, Biology & Premedical Sciences
Ashley Weathers, Miami, Sophomore, 3.73, Kinesiology
Jenna Weiner, Miami, Senior, 3.79, Kinesiology
Kat Zalar, Miami, Junior, 3.48, Finance
Amy Annala, Northern Illinois, Junior, 4.0, Accountancy
Haley Cummings, Northern Illinois, Senior, 3.869, Mechanical Engineering
Alex Elias, Northern Illinois, Senior, 3.912, Mathematics Education
Emilie Furuseth Haugan, Northern Illinois, Sophomore, 3.234, Business Administration
Marisol Galvan, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.283, Elementary Education
Allie Ingham, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.254, Biological Sciences
Delaney Loprieno, Northern Illinois, Redshirt Sophomore, 3.983, General Public Health
Sammy O'Brien, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.443, Kinesiology
Cassidy Page, Northern Illinois, Redshirt Sophomore, 3.724, Marketing
Natalia Pena, Northern Illinois, Junior, 3.71, Biological Sciences
Taylor Sarver, Northern Illinois, Sophomore, 3.68, Communicative Disorders
Jess Wooldridge, Northern Illinois, Senior, 3.886, Rehabilitation Services
Allie Curry, Ohio, Junior, 3.287, Soc. Criminology
Celeste Fushimi-Karns, Ohio, Junior, 3.431, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Hannah Jaggers, Ohio, Junior, 3.887, Early Childhood Education
Katie McCurley, Ohio, Junior, 3.634, Biological Studies
Alexis Milesky, Ohio, Senior, 3.736, Integrated Science
Rianna Reese, Ohio, Sophomore, 4.000, Biology – Pre Professional
Mollie Whitacre, Ohio, Senior, 3.277, Economics and Computer Science
Isabella Echeverri, Toledo, Junior, 3.806, Marketing
Natalie Knauf, Toledo, Junior, 3.938, Pre-Business
Brooke Maletic, Toledo, Senior, 3.619, Exercise Science
Chiara Paradiso, Toledo, Junior, 3.950, Communications
Alena Sidwell, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.906, Exercise Science
Lauren Taylor, Toledo, Senior, 3.701, Communications
Sydney Vinton, Toledo, Junior, 3.584, Political Science
Christina Williams, Toledo, Sophomore, 3.984, Finance
Liz Abro, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.40, Secondary Education
Mackenzie Barber, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.98 Speech Pathology and Audiology
Tiffany Buckler, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.25, Nursing
Alyssa Burke, Western Michigan, Sophomore, 3.88, University Curriculum
Stephanie Heber, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.63, Secondary Education
Maria Jaramillo, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.96, Biochemistry
Kendall Juhnke, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.37, Exercise Science
Emma Kahn, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.72, Nursing
Megan Ross, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.86 Interdisciplinary Health Services
Alex Ruffer, Western Michigan, Junior, 4.00, Human Resource Management
Alexis Shamoun, Western Michigan, Sophomore, 4.00, University Curriculum
Candice Uhl, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.75, Accountancy
Olivia Vollmers, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.90, Business Management

Players Mentioned

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