LANGLEY, B.C. – Five players from the No. 1-ranked Trinity Western women's soccer team were recognized as Canada West all-star or all-rookie team members, as Kristen Sakaki (Surrey, B.C.) and Seina Kashima (Burnaby, B.C.) were named First Team All-Stars, Jenaya Roberston (Delta, B.C.) and Elizabeth Hicks (Surrey) were named Second Team All-Stars and Seirra Halldorson (Winnipeg) was named to the All-Rookie Team.
For Kashima, the First Team All-Star honour caps a career in which she was named a conference all-star in each of her five years with the Spartans. The TWU striker was also a First Team All-Star in 2014, 2016 and 2017 and a Second Team All-Star in 2015. Kashima earned this year's honour after setting a Canada West single-season record for assists, with 13, and tying for the conference lead in points, with 20.
For Sakaki, Robertson and Hicks, the year-end honours marks their first time any of them have been named to a Canada West all-star team.
Aa a fullback, the speedy Sakaki started all 14 games for the Spartans and was a key reason for the Spartans 12-2-0 Pacific Division-leading regular season record. Her staunch defending on the outside helped lead a TWU defensive line that allowed just 14 goals all season.
Hicks started all 13 games she played and was a tower of defensive strength for the Spartans all year. Offensively, she was also a key contributor with her aerial abilities, as she tallied four goals for TWU.
In the middle of the park, Robertson captained the Spartans to a sparkling season at both ends of the pitch, with TWU leading the conference with 44 goals, while allowing just 14. Individually, Robertson also had a career year as she finished with six goals and four assists.
The first-year Halldorson had an impressive debut season with TWU, playing in all 14 games and starting five. As a midfielder, she added two assists and was a consistent force for the Spartans every time she stepped on the field.
The Spartans will host the Canada West Final Four, starting Friday at Chase Office Field, when TWU takes on Alberta in the semifinals. Kick-off is at 6 p.m. (PT). The winner will advance to the Canada West gold medal match and earn a spot in the U SPORTS Championship tournament.
The conference's major award winners will be unveiled Thursday morning
2018 CANADA WEST WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-STARS - First Team
Position / Name / University / Eligibility / Hometown / Program
GK / Lauren Houghton / Calgary / 2 / Calgary, AB / Kinesiology
D / Kristen Sakaki / Trinity Western / 3 / Surrey, BC / Business Administration
D / Talia White / Calgary / 3 / Calgary, AB / Kinesiology
D / Jamie Erickson / MacEwan / 4 / Edmonton, AB / Science
D / Kayla Kreutzer / Calgary / 5 / Edmonton, AB / Business
M / Morgan Corbett / Alberta / 4 / Edmonton, AB / Kinesiology, Sport, & Rec.
F / Seina Kashima / Trinity Western / 5 / Burnaby, BC / Arts
F / Danielle Steer / UBC / 2 / Surrey, BC / Arts
F / Sydney Daines / Alberta / 5 / Innisfail, AB / Native Studies
F / Montana Leonard / Calgary / 3 / Richmond, BC / Arts
F / Maddison Fritze / Calgary / 5 / Edmonton, AB / Arts & Education
2018 CANADA WEST WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-STARS - Second Team
Position / Name / University / Eligibility / Hometown / Program
GK / Emily Burns / MacEwan / 4 / Sherwood Park, AB / Arts
D / Jessica Williams / UBC / 2 / White Rock, BC / Arts
D / Elizabeth Hicks / Trinity Western / 3 / Surrey, BC / Arts
D / Katie Carrothers / Victoria / 5 / Victoria, BC / Business
D / Quinn Hardstaff / Mount Royal 3 / Calgary, AB / Nursing
M / Amanda Wong / Manitoba / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Science
M / Suekiana Choucair / MacEwan / 4 / Edmonton, AB / Science
M / Jenaya Robertson / Trinity Western / 4 / Delta, BC / Business
F / Paige Payne / UNBC / 3 / Kitimat, BC / Biomedical Studies
F / Karissa McNutt / Alberta / 5 / Edmonton, AB / Arts
F / Shae-Lynn Dodds / Winnipeg / 2 / Winnipeg, MB / Kinesiology
NOTE: The all-star teams consist of one goalkeeper, five defending players, and five attacking players.
2018 CANADA WEST WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-ROOKIES
Position / Name / University / Hometown / Program
GK / Rose Hemans / Mount Royal / London, Eng. / Business Administration
D / Hannah Supina / MacEwan / Fort Saskatchewan, AB / Arts
M / Nicole Davis / Manitoba / Winnipeg, MB / University 1
M / Payton Izsak / Saskatchewan / Prince Albert, SK / Kinesiology
M / Melissa Bustos / UBC / Winnipeg, MB / Kinesiology
M / Haley Mercier / Saskatchewan / Saskatoon, SK / Ag & Bioresources
M / Sierra Halldorson / Trinity Western / Winnipeg, MB / Arts
F / Michelle Jang / UBC / Calgary, AB / Kinesiology
F / Sofia Mondaca / Calgary / Calgary, AB / Arts
F / Jashan Sandhar / Fraser Valley / North Delta, BC / General Studies
F / Chantal Gammie / Thompson Rivers / Smithers, BC / Arts
NOTE: The all-rookie team consists of the top 11 first-year players, regardless of position.
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