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Thompson Named Goalkeeper of the Year, Five Bulls Earn All-MAC Recognition
11/5/2024 10:17:00 AM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – The Mid-American Conference announced its postseason soccer awards on Tuesday morning, with five University at Buffalo women's soccer student-athletes earning postseason recognition, highlighted by sophomore Lexie Thompson who was named Goalkeeper of the Year. Thompson also earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team. Joining her on the first team is graduate student defender Frederique St.-Jean while senior midfielder Kaya Schultz and junior defender Ellie Simmons received All-MAC Second Team honors. Additionally, Carolyn Hinkle earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team.
The Bulls are tied with Western Michigan and Ohio for the most All-MAC honorees with five total players across all teams. This is the third time in the last five seasons that the Bulls have received a specialty award and had multiple players on the first team and the five total All-MAC selections are tied for the second most in program history.
"All these players are so deserving of postseason recognition for their consistency and impact throughout the year," said head coach Shawn Burke. "To only have three field players on the first and second teams is a surprise when you finish second overall, but I'll take this group against anyone."
Thompson is just the second Bull to earn Goalkeeper of the Year honors and receives All-MAC First Team recognition for the first time in her young UB career. The Levittown, NY native has put together an impressive resume on the season as she leads the MAC and ranks in the top 10 in the nation in shutouts (11), goals against average (0.44) and save percentage (.890), while also recording 65 saves. Her 11 shutouts rank third in a single-season in program history and her .44 goals against average is second-best in a single-season. With Thompson between the pipes, the UB backline has been a dominant force as they lead the league and rank in the top 15 nationally in goals against average (.44) save percentage (.895) and shutout percentage (.611).
"Lexie is not only the top goalkeeper in the MAC, but she has proven she is one of the best in the entire country," said Burke.
St.-Jean was named to the All-MAC First Team after a stellar start to her Buffalo career. The Toronto, Ontario native rarely came off the field for the Bulls this season as she played all but 29 minutes, making her impact known on both ends of the field. Starting in 17 games for the Bulls, St.-Jean was a major factor on set pieces, recording a goal and an assist. She is also the anchor of a standout backline that led the league and ranks in the top 15 nationally in goals against average (.44) save percentage (.895) and shutout percentage (.611).
Simmons earns All-MAC recognition for the second time in her career after being named Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-MAC First Team as a freshman. The Arlington, VA native has started all 18 games for the Bulls this season and has been an impact on both ends of the field, including on set pieces, scoring two goals and adding an assist. She part of a standout backline that led the league and ranks in the top 15 nationally in goals against average (.44) save percentage (.895) and shutout percentage (.611).
Schultz earns All-MAC Second-Team honors for the first time in her decorated UB career, in which she has appeared in 70 games, earning 56 starts across four seasons. The West Orange, NJ native has been a chameleon of sorts for the Bulls this season as was often asked to wear many hats, fit into many different roles throughout the season and is consistently looked to by the coaching staff as the solution to any tactical problem. She started 16 games for the Bulls this season, recording a goal and four assists while also serving as the anchor for a dangerous midfield attack.
Hinkle earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team after a solid rookie campaign. The Millersville, PA native has made an immediate impact in her first season in the blue and white as she appeared in all 18 games while earning one start for Buffalo this season, recording a goal and two assists. This marks the 10th time in the last 11 seasons that the Bulls have placed a rookie on the All-Freshman team.
The second-seeded Bulls take on No. 3 Ohio on Thursday, November 7 at 11am in the first of two semifinal matches at the WMU Soccer Complex in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
2024 MAC Women's Soccer Postseason Awards & All-MAC Teams
Coach of the Year: Lewis Robinson, Western Michigan
Offensive Player of the Year: Jen Blitchok, Western Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Norah Roush, Ohio
Goalkeeper of the Year: Lexie Thompson, Buffalo
Freshman of the Year: Jules Dolinski, Kent State
All-MAC First Team
Forward: Addie Chester, Ball State
Forward: Jaimason Brooker, Ohio
Forward: Jen Blitchok, Western Michigan
Forward: Taylor Hamlett, Miami
Midfielder: Eve Berish, Ohio
Midfielder: Lexi Czerwien, Bowling Green
Midfielder: Madi Canada, Western Michigan
Defender: Frederique St.-Jean, Buffalo
Defender: Heidi Thomasma, Western Michigan
Defender: Norah Roush, Ohio
Goalkeeper: Lexie Thompson, Buffalo
All-MAC Second Team
Forward: Abby Wethman, Western Michigan
Forward: Alisa Arthur, Kent State
Forward: Tyra King, Northern Illinois
Midfielder: Claudia Muessig, Central Michigan
Midfielder: Emme Butera, Bowling Green
Midfielder: Kaya Schultz, Buffalo
Midfielder: Siena Stambolich, Kent State
Defender: Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Defender: Jamie Hlbec, Miami
Defender: Maia Kaufman, Ohio
Goalkeeper: Celeste Sloma, Ohio
All-Freshman Team
Ali Weibel, Kent State
Allison Collins, Kent State
Carolyn Hinkle, Buffalo
Gabby Anulare, Toledo
Haley Wolf, Bowling Green
Jules Dolinksi, Kent State
Julianna Hill, Northern Illinois
June Mullen, Western Michigan
Katie Henahan, Kent State
Maris Jennings, Miami
Payton O'Malley, Bowling Green
For all the latest on UB women's soccer, follow @UBWomensSoccer on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Soccer Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
The Bulls are tied with Western Michigan and Ohio for the most All-MAC honorees with five total players across all teams. This is the third time in the last five seasons that the Bulls have received a specialty award and had multiple players on the first team and the five total All-MAC selections are tied for the second most in program history.
"All these players are so deserving of postseason recognition for their consistency and impact throughout the year," said head coach Shawn Burke. "To only have three field players on the first and second teams is a surprise when you finish second overall, but I'll take this group against anyone."
Thompson is just the second Bull to earn Goalkeeper of the Year honors and receives All-MAC First Team recognition for the first time in her young UB career. The Levittown, NY native has put together an impressive resume on the season as she leads the MAC and ranks in the top 10 in the nation in shutouts (11), goals against average (0.44) and save percentage (.890), while also recording 65 saves. Her 11 shutouts rank third in a single-season in program history and her .44 goals against average is second-best in a single-season. With Thompson between the pipes, the UB backline has been a dominant force as they lead the league and rank in the top 15 nationally in goals against average (.44) save percentage (.895) and shutout percentage (.611).
"Lexie is not only the top goalkeeper in the MAC, but she has proven she is one of the best in the entire country," said Burke.
St.-Jean was named to the All-MAC First Team after a stellar start to her Buffalo career. The Toronto, Ontario native rarely came off the field for the Bulls this season as she played all but 29 minutes, making her impact known on both ends of the field. Starting in 17 games for the Bulls, St.-Jean was a major factor on set pieces, recording a goal and an assist. She is also the anchor of a standout backline that led the league and ranks in the top 15 nationally in goals against average (.44) save percentage (.895) and shutout percentage (.611).
Simmons earns All-MAC recognition for the second time in her career after being named Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-MAC First Team as a freshman. The Arlington, VA native has started all 18 games for the Bulls this season and has been an impact on both ends of the field, including on set pieces, scoring two goals and adding an assist. She part of a standout backline that led the league and ranks in the top 15 nationally in goals against average (.44) save percentage (.895) and shutout percentage (.611).
Schultz earns All-MAC Second-Team honors for the first time in her decorated UB career, in which she has appeared in 70 games, earning 56 starts across four seasons. The West Orange, NJ native has been a chameleon of sorts for the Bulls this season as was often asked to wear many hats, fit into many different roles throughout the season and is consistently looked to by the coaching staff as the solution to any tactical problem. She started 16 games for the Bulls this season, recording a goal and four assists while also serving as the anchor for a dangerous midfield attack.
Hinkle earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team after a solid rookie campaign. The Millersville, PA native has made an immediate impact in her first season in the blue and white as she appeared in all 18 games while earning one start for Buffalo this season, recording a goal and two assists. This marks the 10th time in the last 11 seasons that the Bulls have placed a rookie on the All-Freshman team.
The second-seeded Bulls take on No. 3 Ohio on Thursday, November 7 at 11am in the first of two semifinal matches at the WMU Soccer Complex in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
2024 MAC Women's Soccer Postseason Awards & All-MAC Teams
Coach of the Year: Lewis Robinson, Western Michigan
Offensive Player of the Year: Jen Blitchok, Western Michigan
Defensive Player of the Year: Norah Roush, Ohio
Goalkeeper of the Year: Lexie Thompson, Buffalo
Freshman of the Year: Jules Dolinski, Kent State
All-MAC First Team
Forward: Addie Chester, Ball State
Forward: Jaimason Brooker, Ohio
Forward: Jen Blitchok, Western Michigan
Forward: Taylor Hamlett, Miami
Midfielder: Eve Berish, Ohio
Midfielder: Lexi Czerwien, Bowling Green
Midfielder: Madi Canada, Western Michigan
Defender: Frederique St.-Jean, Buffalo
Defender: Heidi Thomasma, Western Michigan
Defender: Norah Roush, Ohio
Goalkeeper: Lexie Thompson, Buffalo
All-MAC Second Team
Forward: Abby Wethman, Western Michigan
Forward: Alisa Arthur, Kent State
Forward: Tyra King, Northern Illinois
Midfielder: Claudia Muessig, Central Michigan
Midfielder: Emme Butera, Bowling Green
Midfielder: Kaya Schultz, Buffalo
Midfielder: Siena Stambolich, Kent State
Defender: Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Defender: Jamie Hlbec, Miami
Defender: Maia Kaufman, Ohio
Goalkeeper: Celeste Sloma, Ohio
All-Freshman Team
Ali Weibel, Kent State
Allison Collins, Kent State
Carolyn Hinkle, Buffalo
Gabby Anulare, Toledo
Haley Wolf, Bowling Green
Jules Dolinksi, Kent State
Julianna Hill, Northern Illinois
June Mullen, Western Michigan
Katie Henahan, Kent State
Maris Jennings, Miami
Payton O'Malley, Bowling Green
For all the latest on UB women's soccer, follow @UBWomensSoccer on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Soccer Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Blue & White Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Players Mentioned
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