Big Sky Conference Announces 2017 Women’s Soccer All-Conference Team
RELEASE
OGDEN, Utah (October 31, 2017) – The Big Sky All-Conference awards have been released with Sacramento State and Eastern Washington headlining the First Team All-Conference. The Eagles have four players represented while Sacramento State has three players featured on the First Team. Each of the 11 Big Sky soccer coaches voted on the postseason awards with coaches not being able to vote for any of their own players.
For the third consecutive year Chloe Williams was honored as the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year. Williams notched 13 points off of six goals and an assist in league play. Even though the senior was the focal point of opposing team’s defenses, she still managed to attempt an average of 4.45 shots per game which is the 14th highest average in the nation. The forward broke the Big Sky’s career goals scored record upping her total to 42. Williams has broken several career Big Sky records including points and shot attempts. In addition, Williams has been a First-Team All-Conference member all four years of her Eastern Washington career.
Taryn Miller led Montana to a second place finish in the Big Sky standings earning Defensive Player of the Year. Miller was the anchor for Montana’s defense and made plays when the team needed it the most. Montana only allowed opposing Big Sky teams to attempt just 23 shots on goal which was the least amount of any Big Sky team.
North Dakota sophomore Catherine Klein had an incredible season for North Dakota. The sophomore was recognized as the Big Sky’s goalkeeper of the Year after leading the conference in saves (74) and saves per game (7.4). With the amount of shots being taken on Klein, you wouldn’t expect her to be third in shutouts, but that’s exactly where she ranks shutting out five of her ten Big Sky opponents.
The accolades didn’t stop for North Dakota at Klein. Head coach Chris Logan was recognized by his peers as the league’s Coach of the Year after leading the Fighting Hawks to their best season since joining the Big Sky Conference back in 2012. Logan guided North Dakota to a 4-5-1 record. The team just missed out on postseason play getting edged in a tiebreaker, but Logan has plenty to be excited about in the future with First Team All-Conference member Katie Moller being just a junior.
Kylee Kim-Bustillos exploded onto the scene in her first year with Sacramento State to earn Newcomer of the Year. The freshman phenom led the Big Sky in points during the entire season totaling 26 courtesy of 11 goals and four assists. The forward notched 15 of her 26 points in Big Sky action and helped Sacramento State clinch a spot in the Big Sky Championship. Kim-Bustillos strong play helped Sacramento State score 16 goals in conference play which was the second-most goals scored in the league.
Even though Kylee Kim-Bustillos led the conference in points during the entire year, it was Weber State’s Morgan Quarnberg who notched the most points in Big Sky action to earn the Golden Boot award. The junior totaled 16 points all coming from goals scored (8). The junior paced the Wildcats’ offense throughout the year and led the team to upsets over Portland State and Northern Arizona.
The Big Sky Conference Championship presented by Red Lion Hotels Corporation begins on Wednesday, Nov. 1 in Cheney, Wash., with two quarterfinal matchups. The semifinals will take place on Nov. 3 and the championship match is set for Nov. 5. The semifinals and championship will air on Eleven Sports Network with all rounds available on Pluto TV.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chloe Williams, Eastern Washington
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Taryn Miller, Montana
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Catherine Klein, North Dakota
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Kylee Kim-Bustillos, Sacramento State
GOLDEN BOOT
Morgan Quarnberg
COACH OF THE YEAR
Chris Logan, North Dakota
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
| Position |
Name |
School |
Year |
| Goalkeeper |
Catherine Klein |
North Dakota |
Sophomore |
| Defenders |
Taryn Miller |
Montana |
Junior |
|
M'kenna Hayes |
Eastern Washington |
Senior |
|
Chelsea Arnold |
Sacramento State |
Senior |
|
Carly Gamble |
Northern Arizona |
Sophomore |
| Midfielders |
Jenny Chavez |
Eastern Washington |
Junior |
|
Mariel Gutierrez |
Northern Colorado |
Junior |
|
Aimie Ithoulay |
Eastern Washington |
Senior |
|
Olivia Baggerly |
Idaho |
Senior |
|
Caitlin Prothe |
Sacramento State |
Junior |
| Forwards |
Chloe Williams |
Eastern Washington |
Senior |
|
Katie Moller |
North Dakota |
Junior |
|
Kylee Kim-Bustillos |
Sacramento State |
Freshman |
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
| Position |
Name |
School |
Year |
| Goalkeeper |
Madeline Burdick |
Northern Colorado |
Senior |
| Defenders |
Gabrielle Vivier-Hannay |
Weber State |
Sophomore |
|
Kristin Moyer |
Portland State |
R-Senior |
|
Ashlee Pederson |
Montana |
Senior |
|
Kylee Smith |
Sacramento State |
Senior |
| Midfielders |
Madison Garlock |
Weber State |
Junior |
|
Mikayla Reed |
Sacramento State |
Sophomore |
|
Hallie Widner |
Montana |
R-Junior |
|
Makenna Bambei |
Idaho State |
Sophomore |
| Forwards |
Adrian Nixt |
Northern Arizona |
Senior |
|
Katie Forsee |
Portland State |
Senior |
|
Morgan Quarnberg |
Weber State |
Junior |
HONORABLE MENTION
Goalkeepers – Claire Howard, Montana
Defenders - Lexi Klinkenberg, Eastern Washington; Grace Klinkenberg, Eastern Washington; Chanelle Pederson, Montana; Emma Contino, North Dakota; Cara Quinn, Northern Colorado; Anika Shelrud, Northern Colorado; Liz Hansen, Portland State; Haley Thomas, Weber State
Midfielders - Janessa Fowler, Montana; Morgan Matthews, Portland State; Bri Sims, Southern Utah
Forwards - Ally Thimson, Southern Utah; Brooke Braden, Northern Colorado; Kayla Collins, Sacramento State; Bridget Daley, Idaho