GREENWOOD, Ind. - College Sports Communicators (CSC) made their selections based on the All-District nominations as a sector of the All-America ballot for NCAA Division I women's soccer 2022-23 season. Recipients of the All-District awards belong to Sophie Wilsey, Alexa Sabbagh, Kendra Zak, Noemi Stadelmann, Carmela Barro, and Macey Wierenga.
Combining remarkable achievements and top-tier athletic performances on the field this fall, these women are well-deserving of this award to represent Oakland University and the soccer program for the Golden Grizzlies.
Fifth-year Sophie Wilsey has left an incredible mark on the program as she earned the honor of Horizon League Athlete of the Year, and alongside this award, received Defensive Player of the Year, and was picked for the All-League First Team Selection due to her accomplishments this season. She helped string together an energetic four game winning streak this season with her three goals against Cleveland State, Robert Morris, and Wright State racking up her total goals as a defender to nine, along with contributing to the teams NCAA Division I nationally ranked GAA of .58, holding a cumulative GPA of 3.56 demonstrating her academic discipline as a Golden Grizzly.
Alexa Sabbagh, also a fifth year student athlete, has continually raised the bar for the Oakland Soccer Program during her time in Rochester. From her hardwork on the field, she to closing it out in year five recording a team high five goals and receiving the Horizon League selection on the All-League Second Team. The forward has made her last season here very memorable with her accomplishments on field, and off the field she also carried a high GPA of 3.83 representing a healthy student-athlete balance standard at Oakland.
Kendra Zak, fifth year defender, has demonstrated her commitment and dedication to the teams success in many ways over her accumulated time as a Golden Grizzly. The West Bloomfield native has made an inspiring ripple effect on the team with her contributions to this energetic season. Accumulating a thrilling goal against Western Michigan and also contributing to the teams low GAA of .58, she has earned her well-deserved placement in the Horizon League All-League First Team selection, along with her cumulative GPA of 3.68.
Noemi Stadelmann, fifth year goalkeeper, defended the net to an extraordinary degree this season. Pilling up 45 saves on the season, a .52 GAA between the posts contributing to the nationally ranked team GAA of .58, the Switzerland native has blazed the trail and set the bar high for Golden Grizzly soccer program. On account of her statistical data this season, Stadelmann has received recognition for Horizon League All-Academic Team with her outstanding 3.9 GPA in the classroom. She has received a well-deserved All-League Second Team goalkeeper selection reflecting her impressive skills on the field.
Carmela Barro, graduate student midfielder, poured her all into the soccer program this season as a Golden Grizzly recording the team's second-highest goal tally with three goals punched into the net against Robert Morris, Northern Kentucky, and Detroit Mercy alongside her timely assist against Youngstown State rounding out her amazing performances during her time at Oakland. Notably, she carried an incredible 3.9 cumulative GPA to continue raising the academic standard for Golden Grizzlies off the field.
Last but not least, midfield senior, Macey Wierenga adds a powerful set of skills to the toolbox for the Golden Grizzlies. Alongside her prestigious 3.96 GPA as a student-athlete, she placed her heart on the field with her efforts and performances during this season. She acquired one goal at Toledo, all the while totaling three assists with one being in Toledo, then continued setting her teammates up for success against Purdue Fort Wayne and Robert Morris near the end of the season. Her successes have impacted and supported the efforts of the soccer program at Oakland in a positive way.
"All of these players have been excellent ambassadors of the program both on and off the field. They are all impact players who have been perennial starters for our program, and they have also done great work in the classroom carrying very high GPA's in difficult majors," said head coach JuanPa Favero. "We are proud of our program and the culture we have continued to strengthen over the years. Our players really exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete and these six women are very deserving of this recognition."
