SEWARD, Neb. – Representatives from the Concordia University women’s soccer program numbered seven strong on the 2019 NAIA/NCAA Division II / III All-Nebraska Women’s Soccer Team, as chosen by the Omaha World-Herald. The honorees were announced on Dec. 21 by the Omaha news outlet. The All-Nebraska team featured 17 main members and then honorable mention choices.
Juniors Tori Cera and Michaela Twito made their way onto the 17-member team while five Bulldogs were honorable mention selections: senior Lindsey Carley, sophomore Mikeila Martinez, senior Morgan Raska, sophomore Cheyenne Smith and freshman Grace Soenksen.
A Las Vegas native, Cera spent most of the 2019 campaign excelling at a center back position. Cera started 16 games and used a powerful leg to lead the team in both goals (four) and assists (four). In addition to being selected first team all-conference last season, Cera also garnered NAIA All-Plains Region status and Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska team honors in 2018. Over her career, Cera has played in 58 games and has notched 14 goals and 12 assists.
Voted the 2017 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year, Carley has collected either first or second team honors in each of her three seasons as a starter. This fall, the native of Urbandale, Iowa, played in 17 games and logged more than 1,600 minutes in goal. She posted a .748 save percentage, 77 saves, three shutouts and a 1.436 goals against average. In her career, Carley has played in 54 games with an .811 save percentage, 232 saves, 16 shutouts and a 0.978 goals against average.
Twito moved from honorable mention as both a freshman and sophomore to second team accolades in 2019. The Ames, Iowa, native starred in the midfield, where she played in all 19 games while scoring two goals. The highlight of the season for Twito came when she delivered the golden goal in a 3-2 double overtime win over Doane. In her career, Twito has recorded five goals (three game winners) and two assists in 60 games.
The second Soenksen sister to play for the program, Grace earned a starting role as a defender early in the season and never let go. The rookie from Lincoln, Neb., scored her lone goal of the season in the win over Mount Marty on Oct. 5. Soenksen started 16 games and played in 18.
A key player for GPAC championship teams in 2016 and 2017, Raska has picked up all-conference mention for the first time in her career. The North Platte, Neb., native started all 19 games this season and produced one goal and one assist. Over 69 career games played, Raska collected three goals and three assists.
Martinez (midfielder) and Smith (center back) have been key contributors since arriving at Concordia. Martinez started all 19 games in 2019 and recorded one goal and one assist. A second-year starter, Smith played in 18 games (17 starts) this past fall.
NAIA/NCAA Division II / III All-Nebraska Women’s Soccer Team
F: Breanna Bembenek, Jr., York
F: Courtney Doeschot, Jr., Hastings
F: Jacqueline Gilbert, So., Hastings
F: Nayali Rodriguez, Sr., Midland
F: Kaitlyn Sullivan, Sr., Nebraska Wesleyan
M: Sophia Ketchmark, Sr., Wayne State
M: Abby Morillon, Sr., Hastings
M: PT Perez, Sr., Midland
M: Michaela Twito, Jr., Concordia
M: Courtney Wallingford, So., Bellevue
D: Tori Cera, Jr., Concordia
D: Marley Farrell, Sr., Midland
D: Alaina Melanson, Sr., Midland
D: Laurie Potvin, Jr., Hastings
D: Molly Willis, Sr., UNK
G: Allie Prososki, Sr. UNK
* G: Rachel Thigpen, Jr., Midland
Honorable mention: Bellevue: Lays Freitas, Emah Maahs, Saskia Pepel. Concordia: Lindsey Carley, Mikeila Martinez, Morgan Raska, Cheyenne Smith, Grace Soenksen. Doane: Maddy Meredith, Liz Torok. Hastings: Kaylie Agostine, Josie Knapp. Midland: Brittany Llanes, Hannah Stewart, Harlee Zancanelli. Nebraska Wesleyan: Suzie McDonald, Annie Platt. St. Mary: Madaline Angel, Courtney Kosch, Elli McMeekin. UNK: Megan Cook. Wayne State: Megan Schuster, Rylie Wehner. York: Logan Dye, Amber Jimenez.
* — denotes honorary captain