INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Following the best regular season finish in program history, the Cleveland State women's soccer team was awarded with multiple postseason accolades from the Horizon League Monday afternoon.
The Viking trio of Sarah Krause, Dani Sowinski and McKenna Vento were honored with First Team accolades, while Ashley Thiss earned a spot on the Second Team, and Ja'Maya Ward was named to the All-Freshman Team.
This marks the first time in program history that Cleveland State has had three honorees on the All-Horizon League First Team, while the five total honorees marks a program record.
Krause, Sowinski and Vento became the fourth, fifth and sixth Vikings, respectively, to earn First Team honors, while Vento also became just the sixth Viking all-time to earn postseason #HLWSOC honors during multiple years.
SARAH KRAUSE | F | SR | FIRST TEAM
Krause picks up First Team honors after leading the team with 16 total points this year, posting five goals and six assists. Krause's five goals is tied for sixth among league players this season, while her 16 total points ranks fourth.
DANI SOWINSKI | F | SR | FIRST TEAM
Sowinski was named to the All-League First Team after recording nine assists and one goal throughout regular season play. Sowinski's nine assists marks a Cleveland State single-season record, while it ranks second among league players this season. Sowinski also has one goal on the year, giving her 11 total points to rank fourth on the team.
For her career, Sowinski now has 14 total assists, which ranks second in the CSU Career Record Book. She also has 26 career points, which makes her one of just nine Vikings all-time with 25+ points on their careers.
McKENNA VENTO | MF | SR | FIRST TEAM
Vento earns First Team accolades after recording a team-best six goals on the season, which ranks fifth in the CSU Single-Season Record Book and is tied for lead among league players this year. Out of Vento's six goals, three have been game-winners, including a pair against IUPUI and UIC in crucial Horizon League matchups.
For her career, Vento has 12 total goals, which leads all current Vikings and ranks fifth in the CSU Career Record Book. Against IUPUI earlier this season, Vento became just the eighth Viking all-time to post double-digit career goals.
Earlier this season, Vento picked up Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honors (Sept. 17) and earned a spot on the Horizon League All-Academic Team.
ASHLEY THISS | MF | SR | SECOND TEAM
Thiss earns Second Team honors after serving as an integral part of the Cleveland State midfield that has recorded six shutouts this year – the second most shutouts in a single-season in program history. Thiss has also been part of a Viking lineup that has allowed just seven goals during league play, marking the second fewest goals allowed in #HLWSOC play this season.
Thiss has tallied one assist on the season, recording the helper on the game-winner against UIC in overtime.
JA'MAYA WARD | F | FR | All-FRESHMAN TEAM
Ward earns a spot on the All-Freshman Team after posting four goals and four assists on the season to combine for 12 total points. Ward is one of four Vikings to finish regular season play with double-digit points, while her four goals is tied for third on the team. Ward's first collegiate goal came against Howard in the season opener, as she became just the fourth Viking newcomer to score in a season opener.
This group of Vikings has helped Cleveland State to a second place finish in the Horizon League standings, marking the best finish in program history. After finishing regular season play with a program record tying 10 wins, the Vikings will begin their quest for a Horizon League Tournament title on Thursday, November 1, entering semifinal play as the No. 2 seed.
2018 Horizon League Women's Soccer Award Winners
Player of the Year: Aaliyah Patten, Sr., F, Wright State
Offensive Player of the Year: Aaliyah Patten, Sr., F, Wright State
Defensive Player of the Year: Kelli Swenson, Sr., D, Milwaukee
Goalkeeper of the Year: Marina Manzo, Sr., GK, Detroit Mercy
Freshman of the Year: Haley Johnson, F, Milwaukee
Coach of the Year: Troy Fabiano, Milwaukee
All-Horizon League First Team
Sarah Krause, CSU, Sr.
Dani Sowinski, CSU, Sr.
McKenna Vento, CSU, Sr.
Carly Fiorido, DET, Sr.
Marina Manzo, DET, Sr.
Haley Johnson, MKE, Fr.
Kelli Swenson, MKE, Sr.
Samantha Duwel, NKU, Sr.
Taylor Spaulding, NKU, Sr.
Shawna Zaken, NKU, Jr.
Aaliyah Patten, WSU, Sr.
All-Horizon League Second Team
Ashley Thiss, CSU, Sr.
McKayla Kertscher, GB, Fr.
Natalie McNally, IUPUI, So.
Erin Corrigan, MKE, Sr.
Lourdes Onwuemeka, MKE, Sr.
McKaela Schmelzer, MKE, Jr.
Lauren Bos, OAK, Sr.
Maya Pascal, OAK, Sr.
Emily Kavanaugh, UIC, Fr.
Mattie Cutts, WSU, Sr.
Maddie Jewell, WSU, Jr.
Horizon League All-Freshman Team
Ja'Maya Ward, CSU
Julie Ann Piechocki, DET
McKayla Kertscher, GB
Elizabeth Bueckers, IUPUI
Haley Johnson, MKE
Elaina LaMacchia, MKE
Jelena Sever, MKE
Lily Menssen, NKU
Nikki May, OAK
Emily Kavanaugh, UIC
Taylor Ulrich, WSU
