KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After winning its second Heart conference title in the last three seasons, the No 5 Central Methodist women's soccer team placed eight players on All-Conference teams and nearly swept all of the superlative awards, garnering five of the six special plaques. | COMPLETE LIST
Head coach Dan Schmidlin was honored as the Heart Coach of the Year after leading Central Methodist to the second regular season title in program history. The Eagles boast a spotless 18-0 record on the season and are currently sitting at a program-high in the national rankings in the 5th slot.
The Heart Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year went to senior midfielder Judith Sainz (SR/Pamplona, Spain). Sainz has netted 23 goals and marked 13 assists this season, totaling 59 points. She is currently ranked 6th in total points, 8th in points per game (3.28), and 9th in total goals. Sainz was named All-Conference for the fourth time in her career and First-Team for the second time.
Teammate and senior defender Mireia Lopez (SR/Barcelona, Spain) was tabbed as the Heart Defensive Player of the Year. She anchored a defensive line that posted eight shutouts on the season. The Eagles held opponents to just one goal in seven other matches this season. It's the third time Lopez has been named All-Conference, but the first time she has made First-Team.
Heart Freshman of the Year, Sheila Sanchez (FR/Castellon, Spain) of Central Methodist, made a splash in her first campaign with the Eagles. The 5'3 keeper collected 39 saves in her opening season, earning five shutouts and 15 wins throughout the season. She was also named First-Team All-Heart.
Anika Kallash (JR/Troy, Mo.) rounded out the First-Team All-Heart honorees after recording a team-high 25 goals and chipping in with eight assists. It's the third time she has been named All-Conference and the second straight year she made First-Team.
Four Eagles were honored with Second-Team All-Heart recognition: Luci Brasil (SR/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Andrea Villar (JR/Madrid, Spain), Zoe Jessen (SO/League City, Texas), and Laura Riesenbeck (FR/Beverstedt, Germany). Brasil received All-Heart recognition for the third time in her career after teaming up with Lopez and Riesenbeck in the back line. Jessen earned the recognition for the first time in her career after scoring seven goals and registering four assists. Villar also earned the recognition for the first time after scoring three goals and recording five assists.
The Eagles will be back in action in the quarterfinal round of the Heart Women's Soccer Conference Championship set to begin on Saturday, Nov. 9. Central will host No. 8 seed Clarke at 6 pm.
