2016 NSCAA NAIA All-Plains Region Teams
SEWARD, Neb. – Following first team All-GPAC seasons for the GPAC tournament champion Concordia women’s soccer team, freshman Sami Birmingham and Maria Deeter have reeled in additional postseason honors. On Tuesday (Dec. 6), both were named to the NAIA Women’s Soccer All-Plains Region Teams by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
A second team regional choice in 2015, Deeter climbed to the first team this year. Meanwhile, Birmingham found herself on the second team after a standout rookie season.
Named a team captain in just her second collegiate season, Deeter has starred in the midfield for the Bulldogs since arriving last fall. The Seward native collected first team All-GPAC honors in 2016 and second team all-conference accolades in 2015. Deeter made 21 starts this season and contributed seven goals and five assists. Over 43 career collegiate games, Deeter has tallied 13 goals and 11 assists.
Birmingham, who hails from Johnston, Iowa, made a major impact in her freshman season. Her 20 goals led the team and are the second most ever scored by a Concordia freshman. She shined during the conference tournament, totaling four goals and two assists over the three GPAC postseason victories. The first team All-GPAC choice finished with national rankings of 10th in game-winning goals (6), 13th in total goals, 13th in total points (50) and 27th in total assists (10).
Deeter and Birmingham were essential components of a program that has now advanced to the national tournament in two of the past three years. The 2016 Bulldogs equaled the 2014 squad with a single-season program record 15 victories.