MIAC Release

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) announced the 2008 MIAC Women's Soccer Awards today, November 17, 2008. Bethel is represented by goalkeeper Charli Sorensen (Sr., Park Ridge, Ill.) on the All-MIAC team, while Kristin Kishaba (Sr., Eau Claire, Wis.) earned Honorable Mention.

As part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative, the MIAC announced the third annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for women's soccer. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team are selected by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition. Kylie Dirks (Sr., Excelsior, Minn.) was named as Bethel's representative to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team.

Charli Sorensen.jpg" alt="" />Sorensen was a four-year starter in front of the net for the Royals and broke the school saves record this season against Augsburg. Fittingly, the game ended in a 0-0 tie, which was just one of her three shutouts of the season, and 15 of her career, which is also a school record. Another key shutout came against St. Thomas earlier in the season, giving Bethel their first-ever point against the Tommies in the standings in the 16-year history of the program. Earlier that week, Sorensen also had the game winning goal on a penalty kick against UW-Stout to give the Royals their best start in team history at 6-0.  As a result, Sorensen earned MIAC Women's Soccer Athlete of the Week honors. With Last season, Sorensen earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention, making this her first All-MIAC award.

Kishaba was also a four-year starter for the Royals and helped lead the Royals as a defensive specialist and midfielder. This season, she had a goal and two assists for four points, giving her 28 points in her career. A well-rounded athlete, Kishaba also earned All-MIAC honors in doubles play last spring. Along with her All-MIAC selection as a sophomore and her Honorable Mention last season, this is Kishaba's third all-conference recognition in soccer.




Kylie Dirks.jpg" alt="" />Dirks has been a key member of the Royals in each of her four seasons, each as a starter. Though a defender, Dirks displayed some offensive firepower this season by scoring two goals against UW-Stout and also netting an unassisted goal against Saint Mary's in the final game of 2008. Combined with her two assists, Dirks finished the year with eight points. This is Dirks' first All-MIAC award.




The three aforementioned seniors, along with Esther Sowles (Sr., Waconia, Minn.), Nicki Luehrs (Sr., Hudson, Wis.) and Sarah Crabtree (Sr., Fergus Falls, Minn.) represent the class with the most wins during a four-year period with 29.