Four Athenas Named To SCIAC All-Conference Soccer Team

Four Athena soccer players were named to the SCIAC All-Conference Teams for their success this fall season. Rosa Ahn, Annie Belanger, and Madi Shove received 1st Team honors, and Julia Nishioka was named to the 2nd Team.

Ahn, 1st Team, received for the SCIAC Award of Distinction for her on and off field leadership, community service, sportsmanship, and academic performance. A defender, Ahn scored two goals and notched one assist this season while starting in all 20 games. "Rosa epitomizes what I see as a great Athena soccer player.  She plays hard each and every day and plays with heart and passion for the game and her teammates," added Head Coach Keri Sanchez.

Belanger, also 1st Team,  "had an outstanding year.  She secured our middle on the defensive side and came up big in winning balls in the air.  She has a tremendous work rate and I am glad she was recognized this year," according to Sanchez. Belanger appeared in all 20 games, starting 19, contributing two goals from the Midfield position.

Shove, the third Athena named to the 1st Team, started 19 games and appeared in all 20. She contributed nine goals, three of which were game winners, and five assists. Sanchez described Shove as "such a great battler.  She competes all out on each play whether in a game or practice.  She stepped up as a scorer this year and many of the goals were from great individual effort."

Sanchez praised Nishioka, receiving 2nd Team Honors, who "had a big time senior year.  She played all over the field and was willing to go wherever was needed to help the team.  By the end of the season, she was our right back and she did an excellent job of shutting down opponents and sparking our attack from that right side.  I appreciate her leadership this year." She started all 20 games and contributed one goal and two assists from the defensive position she held this season.

Congratulations to the Athenas!