Ashland University redshirt-junior defender Sydney Wright was selected to the All-Midwest Region first team by the United Soccer Coaches, while sophomore keeper Hannah Lee was picked to the All-Midwest Region second team.
Wright is now a two-time all-region standout after earning third team honors from the United Soccer Coaches last season. She played in 19 games this season as the Eagles qualified for their first NCAA Tournament since 2004.
A quality tactician and expert tackler at center back, Wright excelled as the only upperclassman on a back line that carried a 0.82 goals against average with 10 shutouts in 20 games. She also scored in Ashland's 2-1 win over Tiffin on Sept. 1 and recorded three assists on the season.
The Eagles (10-5-5) blanked visiting Grand Valley State in a 0-0 draw on Sept. 16 when the Lakers came in as the No. 3 team in the country. It was AU's first result against GVSU since 2005.
Ashland also came away with a 1-0 road win over Michigan Tech in the first round of the GLIAC Tournament and was the No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Ohio Valley, 1-0. Wright won GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 24 after the Eagles allowed just eight shots combined in 1-0 and 5-0 wins over Parkside and Purdue Northwest.
Lee made 13 starts for the Eagles, earning all-region honors as a first-year starter despite missing time with injuries. She gave up just three goals in the first seven games of the season as the Eagles started the year with an 11-game unbeaten streak. She played the first 73 minutes of AU's 0-0 shutout of Grand Valley State, making six saves. Lee earned her second straight GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week award after that performance.
Lee posted four solo shutouts on the season and was a part of six in total, including the first 89 minutes, 38 seconds of a 4-0 win over Northern Michigan before exiting with an injury. She finished the season with 49 saves and a 0.81 goals against average, which was eighth-best in school history.
The Eagles were in their first season under interim head coach Taylor Clarke.
AU
WSOC/BB