Beckerleg Leads Titans’ Five All-WIAC Soccer Selections

UW-Oshkosh's Anna Beckerleg has been named the 2013 WIAC Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year. The award was announced when the WIAC unveiled its 22-member all-league team on Tuesday (Nov. 19).

Beckerleg, a junior defender, was one of five Titans receiving All-WIAC honors. The others were junior forward Amanda Baalke, freshman midfielder Robyn Elliott, senior midfielder Chelsea Kierszh and sophomore defender Ashley Siewert. Kierszh was also selected to the first team in 2011 and 2012.

Beckerleg becomes the first UW-Oshkosh individual to earn a Player of the Year citation from the conference. She started all 21 matches and anchored a defense that ranked second in the WIAC in goals against average (1.15) and shutouts (8). Beckerleg also scored three goals, including match-winners against North Park University (Ill.) on Sept. 14 and Concordia University Wisconsin on Oct. 14.

Kierszh joins Carrie Gilbert (2000-02), Michelle John (2004-06) and Lindsay Rau (2001-03) as the only three-time All-WIAC first-team selections in UW-Oshkosh history. Kireszh started 20 of the 21 matches and totaled four goals and two assists. She had game-winning goals in consecutive matches against Wartburg College (Iowa) on Sept. 15 and UW-Stout on Sept. 21. Kierszh played in 81 matches during her UW-Oshkosh career and totaled 14 goals and six assists.

Baalke started all 21 matches and ranked second in the WIAC with seven assists, fourth with 17 points and ninth with five goals. She led the Titans in all three categories. Baalke had the game-winning goal in UW-Oshkosh's triumph over UW-La Crosse on Oct. 19.

Elliott also started all 21 matches. Her rookie season resulted in four goals, four assists and 12 points. Elliott scored the match-winning goal in consecutive contests against UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 9 and UW-Eau Claire on Oct. 12.

Siewert was another UW-Oshkosh player to start all 21 matches. She joined Beckerleg in holding the opposition to just 25 goals and only 128 shots on goal.

Regular-season and tournament champion UW-Whitewater led the team with six All-WIAC selections. UW-Oshkosh followed with five, UW-Stout with four and UW-Eau Claire with three.

Other members of the All-WIAC First Team were Kelsey Beld, Jordan Myers, Laren Nashleanas, Brianna Reid, Sarah Sedlar and Jenna Woodson from UW-Whitewater, Emily Ferger, Jenna Kizlik, Lauren Kizlik and Paige Meyer from UW-Stout, Caroline Henderson, Ashley O'Connell and Allie Stone from UW-Eau Claire, Melissa Dunlavy and Sarah Eck from UW-Platteville, Kelly Denk from UW-La Crosse and Anna Kouba from UW-River Falls.

Woodson was named the Offensive Player of the Year, Samantha Hoerchner of UW-Whitewater the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Ryan Quamme of UW-Whitewater the Coach of the Year.

UW-Oshkosh sophomore defender Elise Valeri was one of nine players selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team.

UW-Oshkosh ended the season with an 11-8-2 record, including a second-place 6-2 mark in the WIAC.