Five Bulls Named to USC All-Midwest Region Teams
11/29/2022 6:31:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – Five University at Buffalo women's soccer players were named to United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region teams, as announced by the organization on Tuesday. Emily Kelly, Hannah Callaghan, and Leah Wengender earned first team honors while Payton Robertson and Ellie Simmons were named to the second team.
"To have five players recognized nationally speaks volumes about this team and the special season we had," said head coach Shawn Burke. "I'm so proud of these five as well as their teammates who allowed them to excel!"
Kelly earns First Team All-Region honors for the first time in her career. She proved to be one of the best goalkeepers in the country, earning MAC Goalkeeper of the Year honors and receiving All-MAC First Team recognition for the second time in her career. The Wilson, NY native finished her storied career as Buffalo's all-time winningest goalkeeper with 54 wins and holds the school record with 35 shutouts while ranking third in program history in career goals against average (0.934) and eighth in career saves (331). She set the single season goals against average (0.43) tied the shutout record (13) and is second in single season wins (15). Kelly led the nation and the MAC in shutouts (13) while also leading the league and ranking in the top 10 nationally in goals against average (0.431) and save percentage (0.878).
Callaghan also earns All-Midwest Region honors for the first time after being earning Second Team All-MAC recognition. The Rochester, NY native was a catalyst for a strong UB midfield and backline as she has helped the Bulls 14 clean sheets on the season, tied for the most in program history, and a 0.43 goals against average, while adding a goal and two assists on the season.
Wengender earns All-Midwest Region honors for the second time in her career. She was named to the first team as a senior and was a third team honoree in the spring championship season. She was also named to the All-MAC second team for the second time in her career. The Rochester, NY native continued to bring speed and versatility to the Bulls attack, scoring a career-high five goals and recording three assists on 42 shots while starting all 21 games for UB this season.
For Robertson, this is her second time earning All-Midwest Region honors. She earns second team honors as a senior after earning second team recognition last year. She was also named Second Team All-MAC for the first time in her Buffalo career. The Toronto, Ontario native rarely came off the field for the Bulls this season, making her impact known on both ends of the field. Starting in all 21 games for the Bulls, Robertson scored one goal and led the team and ranked second in the MAC with eight total assists while helping lead the UB defense to 14 clean sheets on the season.
Simmons earns her first All-Midwest Region honor. She had a stellar rookie season, earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was also named first team All-MAC and to the All-Freshman Team. The Arlington, VA native was second on the team and ranked in the top five in the MAC with seven total assists and 0.33 assists per game. She was a consistent presence on the field for UB, as she started 20 of 21 games this season, including every game in league and postseason play, while also making a major impact on set pieces, taking the majority of free and corner kicks for the Bulls.
For a full list of the All-Region teams click here.
"To have five players recognized nationally speaks volumes about this team and the special season we had," said head coach Shawn Burke. "I'm so proud of these five as well as their teammates who allowed them to excel!"
Kelly earns First Team All-Region honors for the first time in her career. She proved to be one of the best goalkeepers in the country, earning MAC Goalkeeper of the Year honors and receiving All-MAC First Team recognition for the second time in her career. The Wilson, NY native finished her storied career as Buffalo's all-time winningest goalkeeper with 54 wins and holds the school record with 35 shutouts while ranking third in program history in career goals against average (0.934) and eighth in career saves (331). She set the single season goals against average (0.43) tied the shutout record (13) and is second in single season wins (15). Kelly led the nation and the MAC in shutouts (13) while also leading the league and ranking in the top 10 nationally in goals against average (0.431) and save percentage (0.878).
Callaghan also earns All-Midwest Region honors for the first time after being earning Second Team All-MAC recognition. The Rochester, NY native was a catalyst for a strong UB midfield and backline as she has helped the Bulls 14 clean sheets on the season, tied for the most in program history, and a 0.43 goals against average, while adding a goal and two assists on the season.
Wengender earns All-Midwest Region honors for the second time in her career. She was named to the first team as a senior and was a third team honoree in the spring championship season. She was also named to the All-MAC second team for the second time in her career. The Rochester, NY native continued to bring speed and versatility to the Bulls attack, scoring a career-high five goals and recording three assists on 42 shots while starting all 21 games for UB this season.
For Robertson, this is her second time earning All-Midwest Region honors. She earns second team honors as a senior after earning second team recognition last year. She was also named Second Team All-MAC for the first time in her Buffalo career. The Toronto, Ontario native rarely came off the field for the Bulls this season, making her impact known on both ends of the field. Starting in all 21 games for the Bulls, Robertson scored one goal and led the team and ranked second in the MAC with eight total assists while helping lead the UB defense to 14 clean sheets on the season.
Simmons earns her first All-Midwest Region honor. She had a stellar rookie season, earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was also named first team All-MAC and to the All-Freshman Team. The Arlington, VA native was second on the team and ranked in the top five in the MAC with seven total assists and 0.33 assists per game. She was a consistent presence on the field for UB, as she started 20 of 21 games this season, including every game in league and postseason play, while also making a major impact on set pieces, taking the majority of free and corner kicks for the Bulls.
For a full list of the All-Region teams click here.
Players Mentioned
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