Pepel named Newcomer of the Year, six Bruins chosen all-A.I.I.
Saskia Pepel picked up the A.I.I. co-Newcomer of the Year award and six Bruins were named to the All-A.I.I. first and second teams.
A.I.I. Release
A.I.I. Championship Central
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Saskia Pepel was named A.I.I. co-Newcomer of the Year and six Bruins were named to the All-A.I.I. team at Thursday evening's Association of Independent Institutions women's soccer banquet.
A.I.I. Newcomer of the Year – Saskia Pepel (Fr., Defender)
Pepel started all 12 of Bellevue's contested matches this season helping guide the Bruins to a 10-4-0 mark headed into post-season play. After seamless sliding into a central defending role for the Bruins Pepel has helped the Bruins post four clean sheets and limit opponents to just 4.83 shots on goal per game. She scored her first collegiate goal in an 11-0 win against College of St. Mary and assisted another goal in a 7-2 win over Central Christian.
All-A.I.I. Selections (2 first team, 3 second team)
In addition to sweeping the major awards portion of the program, Bellevue saw four players honored on the All-A.I.I. first and second teams.
In addition to being named co-Newcomer of the Year Pepel was also recognized as an All-A.I.I. first team performer along with senior midfielder Reyvin Hernandez. Hernandez was a critical piece in the BU game plan this season as she controlled the flow of play from her central midfield role and created numerous chances at the offensive end. She's scored three goals and two assists on the season headed into the A.I.I. Tournament.
Earning second team All-A.I.I. honors were senior Maria Tome Flores and a trio of sophomores in goalkeeper Sabrina Staufenbiel, defender Morgan Sheard, and forward Emily Weyant.
Tome Flores has played a central midfield role for the Bruins and has been a crucial part of both the offense and defense. She has scored four goal and two assists, including the game-winner against Viterbo last Saturday. On the defensive side she's helped the Bruins post four shutout and allow just 4.83 shots on goal per game.
Staufenbiel has played the majority of the minutes (922 of 1,080) in goal for the Bruins. She has posted a 1.56 goals against average and .686 save percentage in helping BU post four shutout victories on the season.
Sheard has formed a dynamic partnership with Pepel as BU's other central defender. In addition to anchoring a defense which allows just 4.83 shots on goal per game she's also shown prowess going forward with a goal and assist to her name.
Weyant has been BU's top attacking option, as she leads the team with 10 goals in 11 starts. She also has an assist and has landed 29 of her 49 shots on frame. She's recorded hat tricks against both College of St. Mary and Fisher.
A.I.I. Champions of Character – Kaleigh Young, Laura Cook
Additionally, Kaleigh Young and Laura Cook were cited as BU's Champions of Character for best embodying the NAIA's five core values; respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.
Up Next:
Bellevue begins their quest for an A.I.I. title with a semifinal match against Viterbo University on Friday at 1 p.m. The winner of that game advances to Saturday's championship for a 3 p.m. kick-off against the winner of the other semifinal featuring Georgia Gwinnett College and Washington Adventist University. The A.I.I. Tournament Champion will earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.
Updated, with a Correction: The initial release from the A.I.I. omitted Maria Tome Flores from the Award Winners. She was regonized with second team All-A.I.I. honors.