SEVEN WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS NAMED TO GREAT LAKES ALL-REGION TEAM
Seven AMCC women's soccer players were named to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer All-Great Lakes Region team, Wednesday afternoon.
Seven AMCC women's soccer players were named to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer All-Great Lakes Region team, Wednesday afternoon. Penn State Behrend landed junior midfielder Olivia Belack, senior forward Alex Bilka, and junior defender Rachel Weyand on the all-region team, while Mount Aloysius College saw freshman defender Summer Schell and senior goalkeeper Zara Apakoh honored. Hilbert College senior midfielder Jennifer Colvin and Pitt-Greensburg sophomore midfielder Bri Burgunder round out the AMCC all-region performers.
Belack, a first team honoree, is receiving her second All-Region accolade after being named to the third team a year ago. She will move onto the ballot for a chance at All-American status. Belack scored 20 goals and dished out 13 assists for a team and conference-best 53 points, earning Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Offensive Player of the Year honors. She was also selected to the All-AMCC first team for the second straight season. Belack is nationally ranked 10th in total points and total assists, while ranking 13th in points per game (2.52).
Bilka is making her third straight appearance on the all-region team as she was named to the second team. The senior tied for the team lead in goals with 20 and handed out nine assists for 49 points. Bilka, the four-time All-AMCC first-team selection, broke the program record for career assists this season and continues to hold the record for career goals and points. She led the team with six game-winning goals, ranking 19th in the national statistics. Bilka is also ranked 12th in Division III in total points, 18th in total goals and 19th in total assists.
Weyand, the AMCC Defensive Player of the Year, gets her first All-Region nod on the third team. She was instrumental in the team's nine shutouts and holding conference teams to just three goals during the regular season. Weyand scored two goals and four assists for eight points from the outside back position and started every game for the Lions.
Schell, a freshman defender, was the only first-year player on the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region teams as she was selected a third team defender. Schell led the Mountie backline throughout the season from the center back position. She was part of a defense that accumulated eight total shutouts and held conference opponents to just 10 goals in nine conference games. On the offensive end, Schell scored three goals including two game-winning goals off free kicks. Schell's offensive highlight was a free kick goal in double overtime against Penn State Altoona with 10 seconds left that handed the Mounties the conference victory. Schell was named the AMCC Defensive Player of the Week on October 17th and the AMCC Offensive Player of the Week on October 31st.
Apakoh, who concluded her career at the top of the Mountie record books in several goalkeeping categories, joined Schell on the Great Lakes third team at the keeper position. Apakoh started 13 games in net for Mount Aloysius in 2016 while making 54 saves. She had a 7-4-1 record with four shutouts and registered a 1.26 goals against average, which ranked second in the AMCC among goalkeepers.
Colvin, named to the second team, ranked first with six game-winning goals (overall) and was second in with three game-winning goals in conference play. She led the team in goals (11), points (22), and shots (40). Colvin was a vital component in the Hawks' six shutouts this season. She was a major contributor to Hilbert's first winning season in 10 years and the best AMCC performance in program history.
Burgunder, a third team selection, was a major reason Pitt-Greensburg finished 2016 with their best conference record and finish (2nd) in program history. She led the Bobcats in a number of statistical categories and finished the season with multiple goal games in four of the last five AMCC matches. The sophomore ranked third in the AMCC in conference points (24), tied for second in goals (10), and tied for fifth in game winning goals (2), while posting a .345 shot percentage from the center mid position. She also ranked fourth in the AMCC in overall points (31), fourth in assists (7), fifth in goals (12), and 8th in game-winning Goals (2).