Simpson earns record number of all-region awards
INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson College women's soccer team had a record number of players earn all-region honors as Cassie Nash, Julia Wagoner and Maddie Hays all landed on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region IX Team.
Nash becomes the first player in team history to earn three all-region awards, landing on the first team for the second year in a row after second team recognition in 2021. Wagoner joins Nash on this year's first team, while Hays was a third team pick.
The 2023 season was a historic one for the Storm, as they went 16-3-2 overall and made it to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament after qualifying for just the second time in 28 seasons. Simpson was ranked inside the top 25 on two occasions and celebrated numerous other achievements, including compiling the second-most wins in team history, earning the highest conference tournament seeding since 2006, and advancing to the American Rivers Conference Championships for the second-straight season.
The United Soccer Coaches will announce its 2023 All-America Team on Thursday.
Cassie Nash, First Team
- Senior forward from Lincoln, Neb.
- Earns her third career all-region honor, the most by any Simpson women's soccer player
- Was named first team all-conference for the fourth time earlier this season
- Scored 22 goals in 21 games, including five game-winning goals and all six of Simpson's postseason goals
- Became the first Simpson player since 2006 to record 10 or more assists
- Recorded multiple goals in eight games, highlighted by two hat tricks
- Named A-R-C Offensive Player of the Week four times and United Soccer Coaches Division III Player of the Week once
Julia Wagoner, First Team
- Senior midfielder from Council Bluffs, Iowa
- Named the American Rivers Conference Defensive MVP, the first in school history
- Started 20 games and played the third-most minutes on the team (1609)
- Anchored the Storm defense to 10 shutouts
- Finished the season with two goals and two assists
- Helped Simpson finish the year with a 0.71 goals against average, the second lowest in 28 seasons
- Named A-R-C Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 11
Maddie Hays, Third Team
- Junior defender from Erie, Colo.
- Played 1592 minutes across 18 games
- Contributed to eight shutouts on defense
- Helped Simpson finish the year with a 0.71 goals against average, the second lowest in 28 seasons
- Converted 4 of 5 penalty kicks, including one against Wis.-Eau Claire which served as the gamewinner
