Omaha World-Herald All-Midlands Team news article
SEWARD, Neb. – As announced by the Omaha World-Herald on Thursday (Dec. 26), eight Bulldogs from the Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer program were named 2024 NAIA/NCAA D-III All-Midlands Team honorees. Three Concordia standouts were honored as part of the news outlet’s primary 15-player team and another five Bulldogs were lauded as honorable mention selections. The team was headlined by Concordia’s Kierstynn Garner, Niah Kirchner and Taylor Slaymaker.
The Omaha World-Herald annually releases its All-Midlands teams to recognize the top players from small colleges across the state of Nebraska. The full 2024 All-Midlands squad can be found below. The eight Bulldog honorees helped Head Coach Nick Smith’s ’24 squad go 14-7-1 overall, reach the GPAC tournament final and notch the program’s first ever national tournament win.
2024 Concordia All-Midlands Team Honorees
Kierstynn Garner, F
2024 – 21 games (20 starts), 22 goals (6 game winners), 13 assists; First Team All-GPAC.
Niah Kirchner, MF
2024 – 22 games (21 starts), 1 goal, 1 assist; First Team All-GPAC.
Taylor Slaymaker, D
2024 – 22 games (19 starts), 1 goal; First Team All-GPAC.
Savannah Andrews, MF (HM)
2024 – 19 games (17 starts), 8 goals (3 game winners), 4 assists; Second Team All-GPAC.
Angela Banks, GK (HM)
2024 – 21 games (21 starts), 85 saves, 1.41 GAA, .746 save percentage, 7 shutouts; Second Team All-GPAC.
Hannah Kile, D (HM)
2024 – 18 games (15 starts), 1 goal, 1 assist; Honorable Mention All-GPAC.
Kyana Rios, MF (HM)
2024 – 22 games (14 starts), 4 goals, 2 assists; Second Team All-GPAC.
Elena Ruiz, MF (HM)
2024 – 22 games (22 starts), 2 assists; Honorable Mention All-GPAC.
2024 NAIA/NCAA D-III All-Midlands Team (Omaha World-Herald)
F: Kierstynn Garner, Concordia
F: Madison Rhodes, Hastings
F: Marissa Ring, College of St. Mary
F: Hanna Schimmer, UNK
MF: Niah Kirchner, Concordia
MF: Dulce Lopez, Hastings
MF: McKenna Rathbun, Doane
MF: Grace Reynolds, York
MF: *Dekota Schubert, Hastings
MF: Alaina Sorensen, Wayne St.
D: Millie Gell, Hastings
D: Megan Lampe, Hastings
D: Morgan McIlnay, Bellevue
D: Taylor Slaymaker, Concordia
GK: Virginia Johnson, Doane
Honorable mention — Bellevue: Alessia Ricciardi, Ketlyn Rota, Maju Serrano. College of St. Mary: Abbie Anderson, Ella Klusman, Aubrey Vancura. Concordia: Savannah Andrews, Angela Banks, Hannah Kile, Kyana Rios, Elena Ruiz. Doane: Payton Cooley, Gisselle Martinez, Brooklyn Mercurio. Hastings: Grace Henry, Norah Stewart, Julia Vilanova. Midland: Addison Castellanos, Rosa Schellmann. Nebraska Wesleyan: Averie Hike. UNK: Keila Gillispie, Dolcie Hanlon, Daniella Iaquinta, Mia Lang. Wayne State: Paige Pemberton, Erin Peters, Morgan Rhodes, Sidney Truman. York: Harumi Cornejo, Ava Gibson Doyle.
*Denotes honorary team captain