Senior Julia Wagoner (photo by Frank Novak)

Posted: Nov 09, 2023

Wagoner tabbed Defensive MVP, five others recognized on all-conference ballot

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Days away from making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in over two decades, the Simpson College women's soccer team had six players earn All-American Rivers Conference honors.

Highlighting the all-conference ballot for Simpson is Julia Wagoner, who garnered Defensive MVP honors. This is the second-straight season the Storm have had a player headline the all-conference team as teammate Cassie Nash was named Offensive MVP a year ago. Along with Wagoner and Nash, Ashley Curran (2006), Erin Goettl (2001), Tracie Whitney (2000) and Alicia Vegas (1997, 1999) were tabbed MVPs by the league.

Simpson had five players earn first team all-conference recognition, including Hailey Kowzan, Lani Mears, Nash, Brissa Valadez, and Wagoner. Jordyn Foelske was tabbed honorable mention all-conference.

Simpson went 7-1 against A-R-C opponents for its highest regular season finish since 2006. At the end of the conference season, the Storm ranked second in goals (28), assists (21), points (77), shots (154), goals against average (0.75), goals allowed (6), and shutouts (4).

The Storm (15-2-2) are set to open the NCAA playoffs with a 3:30 p.m. first round match against St. Catherine (16-3-1) on Saturday in La Crosse, Wis.

Julia Wagoner, Defensive MVP

Senior midfielder from Council Bluffs, Iowa
Started all eight league games, playing 566 minutes
Anchored the Storm defense to shutouts over Central, Buena Vista, Nebraska Wesleyan and Coe
Scored a goal against Nebraska Wesleyan and provided the game-winning assist in a 3-2 win over Luther
Helped Simpson finish second in the league with a 0.75 goals against average in eight conference games
Named A-R-C Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 11

Hailey Kowzan, First Team

Senior midfielder from Pella, Iowa
Earns her second straight all-conference award
Registered three points in six conference contests
Scored the game-winning goal against Nebraska Wesleyan
Provided an assist in Simpson's 6-1 blowout win over Wartburg

Lani Mears, First Team

Senior goalkeeper from Burlington, Iowa
Earns her first first team all-conference recognition after garnering honorable mention accolades last season
Finished second in the league with a 1.032 goals against average in five league games
Made 13 saves in those games, going 4-1
Earned a solo shutout at home against Central and a combined shutout at Coe
Named A-R-C Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 18

Cassie Nash, First Team

Senior forward from Lincoln, Neb.
Earns her fourth career all-conference honor
Ranked second in the league with nine goals in conference play
Scored a hat trick at Coe as well as two goals against Wartburg and Buena Vista
Provided five assists to finish the conference season with 23 points (2nd in A-R-C)
Placed 19 shots on goal against league foes (2nd in A-R-C)
Named A-R-C Offensive Player of the Week four times

Brissa Valadez, First Team

Sophomore forward from Des Moines, Iowa
Earns her second straight all-conference award
Scored three goals and had two assists for a total of eight points
All three of her goals came within a span of four games
Registered at least one point in five of eight conference contests
One of four Simpson players to log over 500 minutes played in those eight league games

Jordyn Foelske, Honorable Mention

Junior forward from Denver, Iowa
Tallied nine points in conference play to rank top 10
Registered three goals and three assists
Scored two goals against Luther, including the game-winning goal with 30 seconds left
Also scored the gamewinner against Central
Named A-R-C Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25