NINE UWS STARS NAMED ALL-AMERICAN

Corboz, Castellanos & Wenger Top the United Soccer Coaches Honor Roll

Nine current and former United Women’s Soccer (UWS) standouts were honored as All-Americans by United Soccer Coaches for their efforts during their collegiate campaigns this past fall.

Soccer News: This year’s All-Americans, along with their families and coaches, will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Luncheon on January 20, 2018 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in conjunction with the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention in downtown Philadelphia.

United Women’s Soccer (UWS) had nine players (current and former) represented in the All-American award.

DIVISION I:

Georgetown University midfielder Rachel Corboz (New York Surf) was named to the First Team and Hoyas compatriot & defender Elizabeth Wenger (Lancaster Inferno) was named to the Second Team alongside Florida State University forward Deyna Castellanos (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) – the reigning UWS Player of the Year.

Corboz is a three-time All-American and was also named the Big East Midfielder of the Year. Wenger was a First Team All-Midwest Region honoree after being named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Castellanos was also honored this fall as one of three finalists for the FIFA Best Women’s Player of the Year, as well as one of the three finalists for the FIFA Puskas Award. West Virginia University forward Michaela Abam starred for the Colorado Pride in 2016.

DIVISION II:

Nova Southeastern University defender Bailey Corbin (Lancaster Inferno) and Adelphi University forward Jeanine Nunez (New Jersey Copa FC) were named Third Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches.

Corbin’s honor follows a big year in which she helped propel the Sharks to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, a Sunshine State Conference regular season title, and was named the SSC Defensive Player of the Year.

Nunez earned her first All-American honor and ensured Adelphi representation on the All-America Team for the fourth year in a row, after the Panthers did not have a selection since 2004. The Copa star also landed on the All-East Region First Team.

NAIA:

Spring Arbor University midfielder Bethany Balcer (Grand Rapids FC) was selected as the NAIA National Player of the Year for the second time in her career and was joined on the First Team by University of Northwestern Ohio forward Evdokia Popadinova (Detroit Sun).

The defending UWS champion GRFC Women had a second player honored as Martin Methodist College midfielder Riko Sagara (Grand Rapids FC) made the Second Team. Balcer was selected to the First Team for the third consecutive season and scored two goals in the NAIA Championship to help SAU secure its second title in three seasons.

Popadinova was the WHAC Offensive Player of the Year and a Third Team All-American in 2016. This was Sagara’s second straight All-American honor as well and she tallied over 30 assists this past fall.