The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) announced the 2021 WHAC Women's Soccer Awards this afternoon. A total of 22 Siena Heights women's soccer players were on the list.

Senior Kaleigh Mahaz and sophomore Marissa Young were both on the first team All-WHAC list. They were both featured on the all-academic list as well.

Kara Bishop earned second-team All-WHAC as well as champions of character and all-academic. Maddie Castle was also on the second team All-WHAC squad.

Freshmen Kennedy Hyde and Sarah Ammon both received WHAC All-Newcomer honors awarded to the best players new to the conference in women's soccer.

Julia Anderson, Maria Brixner, Marcela Brixner, Katie Carver, Olivia Emert, Caitlyn Harwood, Isabel Herden, Berenice Huette Moncelet, Kiley Kaczmarek, Ashley Kraiza, Hannah Moening, Faith Patania, Danielle Powell, Isabel Remar, Lauren Southworth, and Erin Tyson joined Bishop, Mahaz, and Young on the all-academic list.

Mahaz finished tied for fourth in scoring on the team for the 2021 season with seven points. She netted two goals while also registering three assists. Mahaz anchored the Siena Heights backline that held opponents to 3.6 shots on goal per game and 13 clean sheets.

"Kaleigh has been a standout defender her entire career. This season is no different," said SHU women's soccer coach Scott Oliver. "She was not only the vocal leader of our backline but the main Playermaker as well. This season she even stepped up her performance offensively and was a major factor [that made] our set-pieces so dangerous all year."

Young led the Saints in points with 30, goals with 15, shots with 64, and shots on goal with 37. She finished the year with eight game-winning goals, which put her in a four-way tie at the top of the NAIA stat leaders in that category (as of 11/12/2021).

"Marissa had a scoring season for the record books," stated Oliver. "She has an incredible work rate and has proven to be a big-time player.  What we love most about her, though, is her humility and love for her team."

Bishop was a dominant presence between the posts for SHU this year. She finished with a 12-4-2 record in net, with all 12 of her wins coming via shutouts. Her 10/2 clean sheets are currently tied for the most in the NAIA (as of 11/12/2021).

"When you think about great goalkeepers in our conference this season, you need to look no further than Kara," Oliver said. "She led the conference in almost every goalkeeping stat, and she made huge saves in big moments.  She is well-deserving of this honor and many others as well."

Castle was a steady force in the midfield for the Saints this season despite battling through injury. She finished the year with one assist and 29 shots.

"Maddie turned in a great season this year.  She made tons of plays and put her body and heart on the line every day," continued Oliver. "She was our main 'quarterback' on the field and made her teammates get better and perform."

Hyde impacted the field in her debut season as she was third in points on the team with six assists and four goals.

Ammon was second on the team in scoring with 19 points. Her eight goals were second on the team, as were her three assists. In addition, she was responsible for two game-winning goals, both of which came in conference play.

"Kennedy and Sarah were real shots of fresh air and energy for our program this year," remarked Oliver. "They both brought character and high-level play to our team this season, and they are well deserving of this recognition."

Click here for the complete list of WHAC women's soccer awards.

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