Mar. 13–

2006 Team MVP Rachel Vitense

The Concordia University women's soccer team was presented with their 2006 individual awards at their recent team banquet. The soccer program annually gives out five individual awards, Offensive and Defensive MVP, Hustle Award, Rookie of the Year and Team MVP.

2006 Concordia University Soccer Individual Awards
Offensive MVP
Hillary Johnson, Jr., F, Andover, Minn.
Defensive MVP
Emily Grannes, Sr., D, Apple Valley, Minn.
Hustle Award
Kendra Benson, Fr., MF, Anoka, Minn.
Rookie of the Year
Bridget McAndrew, Fr., D/MF, Iowa City, Iowa
Team MVP
Rachel Vitense, Sr., MF, Cottage Grove, Wis.

The team also voted on the captains for next season, picking one senior, Hillary Johnson, and two juniors, Sam Voeller and Keyton Wheelock, to lead the squad.

2007 Concordia University Team Captains
Hillary Johnson, F, Andover, Minn.
Sam Voeller, MF, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Keyton Wheelock, GK, Traverse City, Mich.

The Bears, led by 2006 NSIC Co-Coach of the Year Joe Alianiello, will head into the upcoming season with a lot of young and emerging talent that will be replacing players who helped to build the Concordia soccer program.

"I am pleased to have Hillary, Sam and Keyton as our captains for the upcoming season,"  Alianiello commented. 

"They have a tough act to follow by replacing Rachel Flaherty, Rachel Vitense and Emily Grannes, but the players and my staff and I have complete confidence in their leadership abilities.  They are great ambassadors for Concordia University-St. Paul and the Women's Soccer team and I look forward to their leadership on and off the field."

The Golden Bears had their most successful season in school history in 2006, finishing second in the NSIC standings with a school record 6-3 record. They turned that into their highest-ever placing in the NSIC Tournament, winning the third place game to conclude their season with a school record 11 wins, finishing 11-11-1.