The Big Sky conference honored Montana women’s soccer team midfielder Frankie Brady and defender Lauren Costa with all-conference second-team designations Tuesday. Costa, a freshman and Missoula native and Brady, a junior from Great Falls, are both first-time honorees.
Brady led the Grizzlies in points for the 2009 season, remarkably notching all three of her goals during Big Sky play.
Costa, a two-time Montana AA All-State prep athlete while playing for Sentinel High School, was recognized for her defensive efforts. Though the true freshman may be best known for ability to use her head to protect the Grizzly 18-yard box, Costa also scored the first goal in a 4-1 Montana victory over North Dakota, not surprisingly with a header.
Including Brady and Costa, eight Montana players were recognized, with Big Sky All- Conference Honorable Mentions going to senior defender Abby Grafft, goalkeeper Grace Harris, midfielder Sarah Stevens, junior forward Kaitlyn Heinsohn, sophomore midfielder Brandee Marone, and freshman midfielder Nawal Kirts.
Conference MVP honors went to forward Dolly Enneking and goalkeeper Cris Lewis, both of Big Sky No. 1 Portland State. Enneking was the Big Sky points leader with 25, and tied for first in the conference with 11 goals on the season. The Tacoma, Wash. Native also led the conference in shots with 60, beating out Jessee Baddley of Weber State.
Lewis finished the season tied for first in goal with eight shutouts and in second for saves and goals against average.
Ashley Jones, of Idaho State earned Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, with 15 points on the season and three goals scored in conference play.
Following the release of all-conference honors, sixth-season UM coach Neil Sedgwick said, “I’m happy that some of our players have been honored in this way among some of the solid players that we have seen this season in the Big Sky. We know, though, that some Grizzly players have performed with the quality that could earn a first-team honor. Unfortunately, there are factors involved that can make it difficult for individuals to be recognized out of a team that doesn’t lead the conference.”
Sedgwick continues, “Still, some important players have been recognized and I am excited for them all. Frankie, for example, should be noted for how she came on toward the end of the season, scoring three times in conference matches and always at those pivotal moments. Lauren also- As a defender one does not always have the stats to warrant a look, but she was fortunate enough that she was recognized, and is most deserving because of the maturity that she has displayed in this, her first collegiate year.”
Brady led the Grizzlies with eight points for 2009. Her three goals would tie her for third in the Big Sky for goals scored during conference play. The junior found the goal for the first time this season against Weber State, scoring the game winner. She then scored to tie things up with Sacramento State, notably beating goalkeeper Savannah Abercrombie, who led the Big Sky for the second year with fewest goals against average (.070) and lowest save percentage (.852) for the season. Brady’s final goal was scored early in the match at Northern Arizona, leaving the Grizzlies in the lead for 78 minutes of play.
Other Montana all-conference honorees leading the stats for the Big Sky were Missoulian Harris and Marone, from Kirkland Wash. Harris made more saves than any other Big Sky keeper during conference play, stopping 38 shots. Marone finished the regular season tied for second with three assists in conference competition.
The honorable mention earned by Boise native Abby Grafft would be her fourth in as many years.
Kaitlyn Heinsohn, the Seattle native who led the Grizzlies in points coming into conference competition, matched the honorable mention that she earned as a freshman in 2007. In 2008, Heinsohn was named to the all-conference second team.
Sarah Stevens, from Portland Oregon, earned her second consecutive honorable mention at midfield.
Nawal Kirts, from Midwest City Okla. was another true freshman honored for her efforts in the Grizzly midfield.
When informed of her second team selection, Costa said, “Honestly, I am pretty surprised, it’s a big deal to be recognized as a freshman. Defenders don’t tend to get that many points, so it’s a little harder to get noticed. Though it’s difficult to see for myself, I suppose that I must have been doing something out there to earn recognition, and I’m grateful.
The defender is quick to implicate her teammates, saying, “Having Abby, Grace, and Brandee, all members of our defense, on the list of those honored is great. It’s a testament to the work that we did as a group against some tough offensive teams.”