The Great Lakes Valley Conference announced Thursday six McKendree University women's soccer athletes won all-conference award winners.
 
Portions of this release were provided by the GLVC
 
Headlining the awards are Anna Stiffler, who was named Co. Freshman of the Year and head coach Tim Strange, who was named Coach of the Year. 
 
In addition, Emma Knoebel and Danielle Knutson were selected to the First Team All-GLVC team, Alynnah O'Leary, Mercedes King, and Stiffler were selected to the Second Team All-GLVC team, and Morgan Bova was selected to the Third Team All-GLVC team.
 
First Team
 
Knoebel appeared and started in all 14 regular season games this season as a midfielder. She finished the regular season with a team highs in goals with five, assists with four, and points with 15. She is tied for fourth in the conference in goals. In addition, the Bearcats are 8-0 when Knoebel registers at least one point. 
 
Knutson appeared and started in all 14 regular season games this season as a defender. She scored the game winning goals against the University of Illinois Springfield in overtime back on March 5, and against Southern Indiana to secure the conference regular season title. In addition, she has been the anchor for one of the best defenses in the GLVC.
 
"Knutson has been a huge leader for us, and has been a great representation for our program," Strange said.
 
Second Team
 
Stiffler appeared in 14 regular season games and made 13 starts as a forward. She finished second on the team in goals with four, was second on the team in points with 11, and was tied for second on the team in assists with three. Among the freshman in the GLVC, Stiffler was fourth in goals scored, second in assists, and third in points. Stiffler is one of the most explosive players on offense in the GLVC and played a huge role in the Bearcats winning the conference regular season title.
 
O'Leary appeared and started in all 14 regular season games this season as a midfielder. She finished the season tied for second on the team in assists with three, second on the team in minutes played with 1,379, third on the team in goals with three, and third on the team in points with nine. O'Leary has been a key contributor to the Bearcats for the last four years.
 
King appeared and started in 11 games this season in goal. She finished the year with 20 saves, a .800 save percentage, 0.48 goals allowed average, six shutouts and a 9-1 record in net. The Lewis & Clark Community College transfer had big shoes to fill replacing long time Bearcat goalkeeper Zoe Brochu, and did an excellent job locking all windows and doors in net.
 
Third Team
 
Bova appeared in nine games and made seven starts on defense. In games she played in, the Bearcats outscored their opponent 14-3. In addition, the Bearcats held their opponents scoreless in seven of the nine games she appeared in. When Bova was on the field, the Bearcats defense was one of the best in the conference. 
 
Coach of the Year
 
Strange was voted among his peers as McKendree's first Coach of the Year award winner. As a coach, he led the charge to one of the best seasons in women's soccer program history. The Bearcats are ranked No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, the highest they've been ranked in program history. The Bearcats are also the No. 1 seed in the GLVC Tournament. McKendree also surpassed 10 wins for the fifth straight season and have won at least 10 games in seven of the past 10 seasons under coach Strange.
 
"It's good recognition for our players. When you win the conference, you hope your team gets noticed. We've continued to build this program with depth, and that's been the key to our success. When I looked at the teams in the conference who are really good, they have really good depth." Strange said. "It's the first time I've ever been coach of the year in this conference. I'm proud to say I'm from McKendree, and it makes me look good with what the players do on the field."
 
Full Conference Awards
 
2020-2021 GLVC WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS & POSTSEASON HONORS
2020-2021 GLVC Offensive Player of the Year:  Jillian Leetch, MF, Sr., Rockhurst
2020-2021 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year:  Dana Youssef, D, Sr., Indianapolis
2020-2021 GLVC co-Freshman of the Year:  Maggie Weller, F, Fr., Lindenwood & Anna Stiffler, F, Fr., McKendree
2020-2021 GLVC Coach of the Year:  Tim Strange, McKendree
 

FIRST TEAM  Alex Johnson, Sr., F, MU Maggie Winter, Sr., F, USI Morgan Beyer, Fr., F, USI Jillian Leetch, Sr., MF, RU Emma Knoebel, Jr., MF, MCK Taylor Peck, Sr., MF, UINDY Taylor McCormick, Sr., MF, USI Dana Youssef, Sr., D, UINDY Madelyne Juenger, Sr., D, USI Danielle Knutson, Sr., D, MCK Sam Blazek, Jr., GK, LWU

SECOND TEAM Anna Stiffler, Fr., F, MCK Maggie Weller, Fr., F, LWU Faith Branson, Jr., F, TSU Mandi Kaltwasser, Sr., MF, MU Jill DiTusa, So., MF, USI Alynnah O'Leary, Sr., MF, MCK Lauren Crane, Jr., MF, QU Jill Wipke, Jr., D, LWU Greta Seal, So., D, RU Paige Anderson, Jr., D, QU Sophia Saucerman, So., GK, UINDY Mercedes King, Jr., GK, MCK   *Extra Member Due to Tie

THIRD TEAM Katlyn Andres, Jr., F, USI Elsa Gonzalez, Fr., F, DU Lexi Gentry, Fr., F, MU Kiki Sauceda, Jr., F, UINDY Bailey Bologna, Jr., MF, LWU Mary Maloney, Sr., MF, QU McKenna Leetch, Jr., MF, RU Stacie Muehling, Sr., D, MU  Morgan Bova, So., D, MCK Kaleigh Kastberg, So., D, LWU Maya Etienne, So., GK, USI

2020-2021 JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP NOMINEES
Katie Cole, DU
Maggie Joos, UIS
Taylor Peck, UINDY
Jamie Hansen, LEWIS
Sam Blazek, LWU
Stacie Muehling, MU
Danielle Knutson, MCK
Cameryn Boucher, S&T
Emily Hanewinkel, UMSL
Morgan Evans, QU
McKenna Leetch, RU
Taylor McCormick, USI
Samantha Crawford, SBU
Sydni Beeley, TSU
Kayla Crowder, WJC

2020-2021 JAMES R. SPALDING SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM AWARD
Missouri S&T