BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its Women’s Soccer Awards Thursday and two Gusties earned All-Conference accolades. Goalkeeper Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington, Minn.) was named Defensive Player of the Year, while defender Josie Mazzone (Sr., Rapid City, S.D.) joins Becker on the All-MIAC Team. Midfielder Sophie Leininger (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) and defender Emily Odermatt (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn.) were named honorable mention.
Becker becomes the first Gustavus women’s soccer player to earn MIAC Defensive Player of the Year, which was first awarded in 2015. Becker started all 20 games this season, the most by any keeper in the league, and played 1897:54 between the posts. The Farmington product made a conference-best 98 saves to go along with 10 shutouts. She finished the year with a 0.66 goals against average and an .875 save percentage. Becker, who earns her third-straight All-Conference nod, is the first Gustie women’s soccer player to be named All-MIAC three consecutive seasons since Renee Beaudry (1999-2002). After three seasons, Becker has 285 saves with a 0.91 goals against average and an .836 save percentage.
Mazzone also started all 20 games this season, posting two goals and one assist for five points as a defender. Mazzone, who earns her second All-MIAC award, took 21 shots, nine of which were on goal, for a shots-on-goal percentage of .429. She also had one game-winning goal. After four seasons of wearing the Black and Gold, Mazzone played in 73 games with three goals and four assists for 10 points.
Leininger and Odermatt receive honorable mention accolades after starting all 20 games. Leininger scored two goals and helped on six others to lead the team in assists. The Wayzata product finishes her career with 76 games played, six goals, and 18 assists, which ranks sixth in program history. Odermatt spent the entire season at center-back, helping the Gustie defense post 10 shutouts and a 0.66 goals against average – the lowest mark since the 1999 Gusties allowed a 0.63 goals against average. Odermatt finishes her career with 69 games played, three goals, and one assist.
In addition to the All-Conference Team, Hannah Sturtz (Sr., Plymouth, Minn.) was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.