ROCHESTER, Mich - The All-League ballot was announced by the Horizon League conference for the current 2022-2023 Women's Soccer season with Oakland receiving an incredible six all-league honors and most notably the player of the year award. This is a remarkable milestone for the soccer program being that this is the most players recognized since Oakland has entered the Horizon League, and this year would mark the first year receiving a player of the year award for women's soccer.
Sophie Wilsey was honorably named the Horizon League Athlete of the Year due to her incredible achievements this season at Oakland. Not only this, but Wilsey also received the award for the Defensive Player of the Year for the Horizon League, and punched her spot for the All-League First Team. Wilsey is a fifth-year student-athlete who put up an impressive three goals this season for the Golden Grizzlies as a defender. Most notably, Wilsey lead the team and helped string together a four-game winning streak for Oakland with her three goals from Cleveland State, Robert Morris, and Wright State. Coach JuanPa Favero states that "Sophie's leadership on the field has been so impactful this year. Our entire team is committed to defend, and Sophie truly has been our general out there. Her growth tactically over her time here has been remarkable, and what a great honor for her to be recognized in this way in her super senior season."
Oakland is strongly represented in the All-League First Team with players Karabo Dhlamini, Kendra Zak, and Wilsey. Both Zak and Dhlamini hold one goal each for the season adding to the current season total of 23 goals which contributes to the Golden Grizzlies being ranked tenth in the country for NCAA Division 1 GAA percentage of .500 just behind Notre Dame.
Additionally, Golden Grizzlies Sami Lopez, Alexa Sabbagh, and goalkeeper Noëmi Stadelmann earned their well-deserved All-League Second-Team spot for the season due to their accomplishments this year in the league. Sabbagh leads the team with an energetic five goals, and on the flip-side Lopez leads the team with a remarkable six assists. Stadelmann records 45 saves for the season collecting an impressive top-tier save percentage of 86.5% for the Golden Grizzlies.
More from Coach JuanPa Favero on the teams accomplishments:
"Noëmi, Kendra, Sophie, and Karabo have been instrumental in our team's defensive prowess this year, and Alexa and Sami have been key attacking players for our program for their entire career. They each bring a set of skills and strength that add so much value to our collective team."
"We are beyond proud of these six Golden Grizzlies, and it is an honor for them to be recognized in this way by the league's coaches. They are fantastic players and really embody what being a student-athlete truly means."
The Golden Grizzlies will kick off Horizon League quarterfinals at home hosting IUPUI on Sunday at 1:00 pm.
