Bellevue’s Jauregui, Georgia Gwinnett College’s Orelesi Share 2023 CAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Year Award
Bellevue University (Nebraska) senior Ximena Jauregui and Georgia Gwinnett College junior Ola Orelesi have each been named the 2023 Continental Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Year. This was among specialty awards and all-conference team selections announced following voting by league coaches.
Georgia Gwinnett College junior Matilda Johansson earned Goalkeeper of the Year honor and freshman teammate Riko Yasuzawa was selected the Newcomer of the Year.
Bellevue's Tom White was chosen Coach of the Year.
Jauregui was recognized as POY for the second straight season after leading Bellevue with 11 goals and 11 assists while starting all 16 matches this season. The midfielder attempted 78 shots, with 40 being on goal. She also helped the team post eight shutouts.
Orelesi garnered NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week after anchoring the Grizzlies' defensive unit to a September 2 shutout against No. 3 Keiser University (Florida). She started all 19 matches and helped the team post four shutouts.
Johansson secured two shutouts while compiling 85 saves in 19 matches, all as starting assignments, this fall. GGC faced nine opponents that were either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 poll.
Yasuzawa scored three goals and provided three assists across 18 matches in her first collegiate season. She started 13 matches for the Grizzlies. Fourteen of the midfielder's 24 shots were on goal.
White led Bellevue to a 12-3-1 record in 2023 that earned top seeding in the conference tournament. The Bruins received votes in the NAIA Top 25 poll.
Here are the all-conference teams, sorted by position and in alphabetical order by school, along with the Champion of Character award winners for the four postseason qualifying teams:
2023 Continental Athletic Conference Women's Soccer All-Conference Team
Player of the Year: Ximena Jauregui, Bellevue University
Player of the Year: Ola Orelesi, Georgia Gwinnett College
Goalkeeper of the Year: Matilda Johansson, Georgia Gwinnett College
Newcomer of the Year: Riko Yasuzawa, Georgia Gwinnett College
Coach of the Year: Tom White, Bellevue University
First Team
Forward – Emma Madej, Bellevue University
Forward – Kelly Wallace, Fisher College
Forward – Claribel Hernandez, Florida College
Forward – Kyara Armenta, Georgia Gwinnett College
Midfielder – Ximena Jauregui, Bellevue University
Midfielder – Maddy Vasquez, Bellevue University
Midfielder – Aurora Miglio, Georgia Gwinnett College
Midfielder – Pernilla Westergren, Georgia Gwinnett College
Defender – Maju Serrano, Bellevue University
Defender – Emma Stock, Bellevue University
Defender – Vanna Darrell, Georgia Gwinnett College
Defender – Ola Orelesi, Georgia Gwinnett College
Goalkeeper – Alessia Ricciardi, Bellevue University
Goalkeeper – Matilda Johansson, Georgia Gwinnett College
Second Team
Forward – Katrina Avila, Bellevue University
Forward – Johanna Andersson, Florida National University
Forward – Jenally Barco, Talladega College
Midfielder – Ketlyn Rota, Bellevue University
Midfielder – Iliana Fernandez, Fisher College
Midfielder – Riko Yasuzawa, Georgia Gwinnett College
Midfielder – Katharina Blume, Washington Adventist University
Defender – Claudia Gallegos, Bellevue University
Defender – Morgan McIlnay, Bellevue University
Defender – Marta Cuenca, Florida College
Defender – Hucely Hernadez, Florida National University
Defender – Zoe Gannon, Penn State Schuylkill
Goalkeeper – Olivia Leo, Fisher College
Goalkeeper – Natalie Nedd, Talladega College
Honorable Mention
Forward – Ella Pelletier, Bellevue University
Forward – Annalise Vincent, Talladega College
Midfielder – Ariana Artavia, Fisher College
Midfielder – Victoria Fonseca, Florida College
Midfielder – Yaritza Vasquez, Florida College
Midfielder – Mickaela Calisto, Florida National University
Defender – J. Braggs, Fisher College
Defender – Kendle Valido, Florida College
Defender – Haley Sypniewski, Penn State Schuylkill
Defender – Elena Lopez, Washington Adventist University
Champion of Character
Ella Pelletier, Bellevue University
Olivia Leo, Fisher College
Thilde Engholm, Georgia Gwinnett College
Gabrielle Cox, Talladega College