Rodrigues Headlines Six Eagles Garnering All-MAC Honors

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Six members of the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team were given All-Conference recognition as the Mid-American Conference announced its All-Conference teams Thursday, Nov. 5.

Leading the way for the Eagles was senior forward Ashley Rodrigues, who garnered the honor of Offensive Player of the Year for the first time in her career. It's the second time she's received first team All-MAC honors, the other time was back in 2007. Through 20 games this season, the native of Pickering, Ontario has scored nine goals and recorded 19 points which both lead the league. Rodrigues has netted an impressive six game-winning goals this season, the most in the MAC this year.

Joining her on the first team is senior Katie Lozar and sophomore Julie Kaim. Lozar caps her Eagle career with two consecutive first team All-MAC selections. She has scored a goal and an assist while starting every game this season. It won't show up in the stats, but her defense from the midfield position is among the best in the conference and has helped EMU shutout 10 opponents so far this season.

Kaim, a key member in anchoring the Eastern Michigan backline, follows up her MAC All-freshman accolades from a season ago with an All-MAC first team honor this year. She has a goal and three assists this season, starting every game for the Eagles.

Chelsea Detrick and Katie Marsh were each selected as second team All-MAC members. A year after leading the league with 11 goals as a non-starter, the sophomore has added five more so far this year, giving her 16 career goals which rank her fourth on the all-time list already. She has also contributed two assists this season.

Marsh, another key component of the Eagles' stifling defense, earns second team honors for the first time in her career. She has started in all 19 games she has appeared in this year and has one goal on 13 shots.

Jessica Thomas has come on stronger as the season has progressed. She's appeared in 14 games, including 11 straight to date, and has started in seven of those. Her strength on the defensive side of the ball has helped the Eagles remain unbeaten in their last seven contests while leading them to the MAC Tournament semifinals for the second straight season.

The Green and White will take on Miami in semifinal action Friday, Nov. 6. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. at the CMU Soccer Complex on the campus of Central Michigan University.

2009 All-MAC Women's Soccer First Team
MF - Val Prause, Central Michigan
MF - Stephanie Martin, Central Michigan
MF - Katie Lozar, Eastern Michigan
MF - Jodie Zwingelberg, Miami
F - Chelsi Abbot, Central Michigan
F - Ashley Rodrigues, Eastern Michigan
F - Ali Leak, Toledo
D - Liesel Toth, Central Michigan
D - Julie Kaim, Eastern Michigan
D - Brooke Livingston, Miami
GK - Shay Mannino, Central Michigan

2009 All-MAC Women's Soccer Second Team
MF - Jordan Baranowski, Akron
MF - Megan Ridley, Ball State
MF - Kelsey Pichel, Ohio
MF - Nikki Rivera, Western Michigan
F - Stephanie Velez, Buffalo
F - Chelsea Detrick, Eastern Michigan
F - Allie Berkey, Miami
D - Samantha Bland, Bowling Green
D - Bailey Brandon, Central Michigan
D - Katie Marsh, Eastern Michigan
GK - Krista Pace, Miami

2009 All-MAC Women's Soccer Freshman Team
MF - Ashley Hughes, Akron
MF - Jess Kodiak, Miami
F - Katie Wise, Akron
F - Keely Chandler, Bowling Green
F - Stephanie Velez, Buffalo
F - Laura Twidle, Central Michigan
F - Autumn Hawkins, Central Michigan
F - Anina Cicerone, Western Michigan
D - Lauren Eberts, Northern Illinois
D - Bailey Brandon, Central Michigan
D - Bethany Allport, Central Michigan
D - Kathryn Slaughter, Central Michigan
D - Jessica Thomas, Eastern Michigan
GK - Nicole Wood, Ball State

Freshman of the Year: Bailey Brandon, Central Michigan
Offensive Player of the Year: Ashley Rodrigues, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Shay Mannino, Central Michigan
Coach of the Year: Tom Anagnost, Central Michigan

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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