Nine soccer teams from the Big 12 Conference - Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech - produced a total of 18 student-athletes represented on the 2009 All-Central Region Team announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
OSU led the way with four players chosen. Kansas and Texas A&M each had three selections, while Missouri and Nebraska both had a pair.
Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch (Oklahoma State), defender Crystal Wagner (Missouri), midfielder Rachel Shipley (Texas A&M) and forward Nikki Marshall (Colorado) were selected to the All-Central Region First Team. All four were also members of the 2009 All-Big 12 First Team.
Freshman Franch led the league in shutouts (11), save percentage (.843) and goals against average (0.61) as she helped the Cowgirls to a Big 12 Championship and to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Senior Wagner, the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, helped Mizzou to its first regular season Big 12 title and anchored a Tigers backline in six shutouts with just one loss in Conference play. Shipley, a senior from Plano, Texas, led A&M with 27 points and nine assists and was second on the team with nine goals as the Aggies advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament. Senior Boulder, Colo.-native Marshall led the Buffs with 17 points and eight goals.
Eight of the 11 positions on the All-Central Region Second Team were awarded to Big 12 players, including Estelle Johnson (Kansas), Monica Dolinsky (Kansas), Morgan Marlborough (Nebraska), Whitney Palmer (Oklahoma), Melinda Mercado (Oklahoma State), Annika Niemeier (Oklahoma State), Whitney Hooper (Texas A&M) and Taylor Lytle (Texas Tech).
On the third team, the Big 12 was represented by six student-athletes, including Emily Cressy (Kansas), Kristin Andrighetto (Missouri), Carly Peetz (Nebraska), Kasey Langdon (Oklahoma State), Kylee Doniak (Texas) and Emily Peterson (Texas A&M).
2009 NSCAA NCAA Division I All-Central Region Team
(Big 12 Student-Athletes listed)
All-CENTRAL REGION First Team
| GK |
Adrianna Franch |
Oklahoma State |
Fr. |
Salina, Kan. |
| D |
Crystal Wagner |
Missouri |
Sr. |
Houston, Texas |
| MF |
Rachel Shipley |
Texas A&M |
Jr. |
Plano, Texas |
| F |
Nikki Marshall |
Colorado |
Sr. |
Mead, Colo. |
All-CENTRAL REGION Second Team
| D |
Melinda Mercado |
Oklahoma State |
So. |
Sapulpa, Okla. |
| D |
Estelle Johnson |
Kansas |
Sr. |
Fort Collins, Colo. |
| MF |
Annika Niemeier |
Oklahoma State |
Jr. |
Wylie, Texas |
| MF |
Taylor Lytle |
Texas Tech |
So. |
Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| MF |
Monica Dolinsky |
Kansas |
Sr. |
Carmel, Ind. |
| F |
Morgan Marlborough |
Nebraska |
Fr. |
Lee’s Summit, Mo. |
| F |
Whitney Palmer |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
Plano, Texas |
| F |
Whitney Hoope |
Texas A&M |
Jr. |
Houston, Texas |
All-CENTRAL REGION Third Team
| D |
Emily Peterson |
Texas A&M |
Sr. |
Tulsa, Okla. |
| D |
Carly Peetz |
Nebraska |
Sr. |
Lincoln, Neb. |
| MF |
Kylie Doniak |
Texas |
So. |
Chino Hills, Calif |
| F |
Kristin Andrighetto |
Missouri |
Sr. |
Pleasant Hill, Calif. |
| F |
Emily Cressy |
Kansas |
So. |
Ventura, Calif. |
| F |
Kasey Langdon |
Oklahoma State |
Sr. |
Wylie, Texas |