KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Five members of the Kalamazoo College women's soccer team were recognized as All-MIAA performers on Tuesday morning. In addition, Hannah Wolfe received the Sportswoman of the Year Award.
The Hornets had four players on the First Team as Olivia DePauli, Destiny Garcia, Kai Ketola and Hannah Wolfe earned the honor, while Emme DeConinck was named to the Second Team.
"To have five players receive MIAA honors for their contributions this season is a testament to the team's commitment and discipline that allowed the group to experience success this spring," Head Coach Bryan Goyings said of the recipients.
DePauli, a freshman defender from Walled Lake, Mich. (Walled Lake Western) was a pivotal element in Kalamazoo's defense this year. She started and saw action in all nine games this season as a first-year. DePauli made big moves on the field this season, helping to set up several of Kalamazoo's 16 goals and tallying one assist. She was a hardworking part of a Hornet team that allowed just five goals on the season from opponents and shut out every team from scoring in the games they won.
"As a first-year player, Olivia DePauli proved to be one of the most consistent and impactful defenders in the MIAA," Goyings said. "Her ball-winning, individual defending, and composure on the ball made it a real challenge for opponents to generate scoring opportunities against us."
Garcia is also a freshman and hails from Chicago, Ill. (DePaul Prep). The midfielder led the Hornets in scoring this season with six goals on 15 shots. Her .400 shot percentage also was a best for Kalamazoo. Garcia took the majority of corner kicks for the Hornets to set up several goals. In just her first year as a collegiate athlete, she was third in the MIAA in goals scored and earned Offensive Player of the Week honors from the league on two occasions.
"Destiny Garcia was a dynamic attacking presence who demonstrated phenomenal composure near goal," Goyings said. "She led the league in goals scored and recorded several key tallies early in the season. Those goals were important to several early-season road wins and helped us build momentum, which we were really able to maintain throughout league play."
Ketola, a forward from Ann Arbor, Mich. (Skyline) receives All-MIAA honors for the first time in her career. She was another strong offensive force for the Hornets with five goals scored. She also contributed two assists and ended the season with 12 points, a tie for best on the team. Ketola finished fourth in the MIAA in points and shots attempted. She scored twice for Kalamazoo in the 4-0 win over Trine that sent the team to the MIAA Tournament semifinals.
"Kai has always been an impact player for us, but this season she was a true difference-maker. During the regular season she was excellent and took it to another level in the league tournament, recording three goals and two assists in helping lead the team to a second consecutive appearance in the MIAA tournament final."
Goalkeeper Wolfe is from West Bloomfield, Mich. (Bloomfield Hills) and makes her second appearance on the All-MIAA list, her first time being named to the First Team. Wolfe played an astounding 783 minutes in goal this season for the Hornets, starting in all nine contests. She contributed to Kalamazoo's 6-3 record by ensuring a shutout victory in all six wins. Wolfe tallied 29 saves on the season and her save percentage of .853 was the second-best in the league. In addition, Wolfe received the Senior Sportswoman of the Year Award. She is a dual-sport athlete who was also a three-year starter on defense for the women's lacrosse team. Even while balancing practice between two sports this spring, she was one of the league's strongest goalkeepers.
"Hannah Wolfe has been a superb performer in goal for us since her freshman season. Receiving the Sportswoman of the Year for the conference is an extraordinary honor and Hannah is certainly deserving. She has been a tireless worker and true team player. Hannah's ability to excel as a student, have meaningful contributions to two athletic teams, and pursue passions outside of school and athletics embodies the importance and value of the student-athlete experience at the Division III level."
DeConinck, a junior from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (Marian HS) has been a versatile part of the women's soccer team for three years. DeConinck also functioned successfully as a dual-sport athlete, playing both women's lacrosse and soccer this spring. As an important member of the defensive squad, DeConinck started in all eight games she played and helped the Hornets surrender just 0.56 goals against average this season from opponents. She set up several free kicks and field movements on the way to goals for the Hornets this season, and was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week in March.
"Emme is a true competitor. She can be counted on to do all the little things that are easily overlooked but so important to being able to win the ball and transition from defense to attack. Her energy and toughness in the midfield was a major factor in our team's success this spring."
The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team finished the regular season 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the MIAA. The Hornets made it to the MIAA Championship before falling 3-0 to Calvin on April 23.