RADFORD, Va. –Coming off a 14-2-6 record and a Big South Championship, the Radford women’s soccer team has been awarded its most VaSID All-State honors in school history, including coach of the year accolades for
Ben Sohrabi.
Along with garnering coach of the year, Radford earned two first team and two second team selections. Senior
McKenzie Vergara (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) and junior
Caitlyn Roan (Virginia Beach, Va./Kellam) earned first team distinctions, while freshmen
Ashley Johnson (Springfield, Va./South County Secondary) and
Lisa Lubke (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) were named to the second team.
"I am honored that we could represent Radford with these awards," stated Sohrabi. "These players worked very hard in the spring, summer and throughout the season. I am happy for them and the entire team."
Under the direction Sohrabi, the Highlanders reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time and finished the season with fewest losses in school history as well as the fewest amongst Division I state and M
id-Atlantic region schools. Finishing 11th in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Radford recorded the 17th best winning percentage (.733) in the NCAA. It was the second state coach of the year honor for Sohrabi, who is in his 13th year at the helm. He earned his first state accolade 11 seasons ago in 1997.
Vergara started all 22 games putting away eight goals with four assists, and ranked fourth in the conference with 20 points. A 2008 first team all-conference midfielder, Vergara garnered first-team all-state honors after being selected to the second team as a sophomore and junior. Scoring her final collegiate goal against Duke in the NCAA Tournament, Vergara finished her Highlander career with 28 goals and 67 points, ranking her tied for fifth and ninth in those respective categories.
Roan, the Big South Tournament MVP and a first-team defender, was the anchor of Radford’s defense that recorded a conference best seven shutouts an
d 0.94 goals against average (67th in the NCAA). Radford only allowed two goals in a match four times this season and recorded its best goals against average (0.94) since 1997.
Johnson, who immediately jumped into the lineup starting every game, led Radford with 12 goals, 3 assists and 27 points. The forward’s 12 goals were the most by a Highlander rookie since 1990 when Sue Williams netted 1
6. Johnson also garnered Big South Second Team and All-Freshman recognition and finished ranked second in the league in goals and points.
In her rookie campaign, Lubke was a stalwart in goal for the Highlanders. A first-team all-conference selection, Lubke led the Big South in saves (118), save percentage (.855) and shutouts (7). She was ranked in the top 10 nationally in save percentage for most of the season and finished 25th. Recording the third best Radford single-season in saves and goals against average (0.93), Lubke ranked 46th and 77th nationally in those respective categories.
First Team
Forwards
Corky Julien, James Madison
Katie Watson, Old Dominion
Claire Zimmeck, William & Mary
Emily Jukich (At-Large), Virginia Tech
Midfielders
Dani Collins, William & Mary
Teresa Rynier, James Madison
McKenzie Vergara, Radford
Defenders
Nikki Krzysik, Virginia
Abby Lauer, William & Mary
Caitlyn Roan, Radford
Goalkeeper
Meghan Walker, William & Mary
Second Team
Forwards
Lauren Alwine, Virginia
Olivia Moore, VMI
Ashley Johnson, Radford
Midfielders
Sinead Farrelly, Virginia
Kim Germain, James Madison
Amy Oberlin, Liberty
Jesse Wolfe (At Large), Richmond
Defenders
Audrey Falconi, VMI
Teri Maykoski, James Madison
Sarah Senty, Virginia
Goalkeeper
Lisa Lubke, Radford
Co-Players of the Year
Corky Julien, James Madison
Nikki Krzysik, Virginia
Rookie of the Year
Olivia Moore, VMI
Coach of the Year
Ben Sohrabi, Radford