KANSAS CITY, Mo. ---- The No. 11 nationally ranked Central Methodist women's soccer team was honored Monday afternoon with the release of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Awards from the league office. The women's soccer program took home seven All-Conference team members, as well as Freshman of the Year in Anika Kallash, Defensive Player of the Year in Luci Brasil and Coach of the Year in Dan Schmidlin.
For the first time in program history, the women's soccer program won the Heart regular season after an overall record of 15-1-2 and a 10-1-1 showing in conference play. The regular season championship also ensured the women's soccer program a spot in the 2017 National Tournament.
Kallash, a native of Troy, Mo., has scored nine goals this season with three assists. She was also named a third team All-Conference member.
Brasil, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was named the defensive player of the week once this year by the conference, and also earned the title at the end of the regular season. She has scored five goals with five assists, as well as being a part of the defensive unit for the Eagles that has only allowed four goals all season. Brasil was also featured on ESPN Sportscenter's Top 10 after a bicycle kick goal in a 3-1 win over then No. 3 Benedictine. She was also named a first team All-Conference member.
Coach Smidlin is in his tenth season as the head women's soccer coach, and has surpassed the 100 win mark with the program this season. Schmidlin has led the program to seven consecutive winning season's, and this year is the first in program history to be ranked, win the conference and secure a bid to the national tournament.
The remaining members from the first team All-Conference were America Garcia and Judith Sainz. Garcia has been instrumental in the midfield for the Eagles this year, and Sainz has scored a team-high 14 goals with five assists this season.
Second team All-Conference honors were handed to goalkeeper Ashlynn Freeman, defender Mireia Lopez and forward Rachel Topliss. Freeman has tallied ten shutouts this year with 38 saves, and has allowed just one goal with the help of Lopez on the back line. Topliss has scored six goals with six assists, and has earned multiple penalties for the Eagles with her constant pressure.
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, November 4, where they will host the opening round of the Heart Tournament at 7 p.m. The women's soccer team will face the winner of No. 8 seed William Penn and No. 9 seed Culver-Stockton at home.
