LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Three Bellevue University women's soccer players have been recognized by the Association of Independent Institutions as all-Association performers, as announced at the annual pre-tournament banquet.
Defender Lays Freitas (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) and midfielder Courtney Wallingford (Bellevue, Neb.) earned first team all-A.I.I. honors.
Freitas started all 14 matches for the Bruins this year, helping to lead a defense which notched a 1.50 goals against average. Freitas' lone goal of the year was vital in helping Bellevue secure their first win of the season as her rebound header elevated BU to a 1-0 victory over Briar Cliff on Aug. 24.
Wallingford was arguably the team's best playmaker, as evidenced by her team-leading five assists, while patrolling the midfield. She netted two assists in wins over both Concordia and the season finale against Waldorf after scoring the game-winner in BU's first game against Waldorf back on Oct. 5.
Earning second team accolades was defender Emah Maahs (Waverly, Neb.).
Maahs saw time as a midfielder as well as a defender and was second on the team in the regular-season with three goals. She scored in BU's win over Dordt, an away draw with College of St. Mary, and in an overtime defeat to Viterbo.
In addition to earning all-A.I.I. honors, Freitas was also recognized as the Bruins' Champion of Character representative.
Bellevue (6-6-2) opens play in the A.I.I. Tournament tomorrow as the No. 3-seed. The Bruins face second-seeded Viterbo (9-3-1) for the second time this season at 1 p.m. from the Grizzly Soccer Complex.
