BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its 2015 Women’s Soccer Awards on Thursday and Gustavus took home two of the top four honors. Laura Burnett-Kurie was named Coach-of-the-Year and goalkeeper Ashley Becker (Fy., Farmington, Minn.) was named Rookie-of-the-Year. Joining Becker on the All-MIAC Team are Maddison Ackliss (Jr., Fairbanks, Alaska), Sophie Leininger (So., Plymouth, Minn.) and Josie Mazzone (So., Rapid City, S.D.). The four All-Conference members are the most for Gustavus since 2000 and the first since 2008.
Laura Burnett-Kurie earns her first Coach-of-the-Year honor in her fourth season at the helm of the Gustavus women’s soccer program. Burnett-Kurie has directed the Gusties to the greatest turnaround in program history as they are currently 13-6-1 overall and finished 8-3 in the MIAC, and then went on to claim the MIAC Playoff title with a 1-0 victory at St. Thomas. Burnett-Kurie also has her squad in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.
Ashley Becker made her presence known in a big way for the Gusties. In her first season wearing the Black and Gold, Becker posted a 0.97 goals against average and a .811 save percentage. Her 13 wins and 11 shutouts both rank first in the league.
Maddison Ackiss is Gustavus’s leading goal scorer with nine – including four game-winners – and she has added two assists for a team-high 20 points. Ackiss has also taken the most shots at 58 with a .155 shot percentage, and a .586 shot-on-goal percentage.
Sophie Leininger has been a major factor in the Gusties’ offensive production this season as she has a team-leading nine assists. She also has added a goal for 11 points. Her nine assists are one away from tying the Gustavus single season assist record.
Josie Mazzone is a leader on the Gustie defense that ranks fourth in the MIAC with a 0.97 goals against average. Mazzone has also contributed two assists.
Brittany Chase (Sr., Victoria, Minn.) was named Honorable Mention after recording three goals and six assists and Kendyl Landeck (Jr., Moscow, Idaho) was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.
Josie Mazzone
Maddison Ackiss
Sophie Leininger
Ashley Becker
Congratulations, not only to those mentioned in the article, but to all who had a hand in this marvelous turnaround season. It is a real honor for me to be an occasional part of a rooting section that has such a fine group of young people to cheer for and support. Go Gusties!!!
Congratulations Laura! (who called it?!!!) Sophie, Maddi, Ashley, Josie…well-des erved! It has been a treat to watch you and your entire team play! Looking forward to tonight…..kick some Wheaton butt!!