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UNCG puts six on 11-member NCCSIA All-State Team
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – UNCG grabbed a school-record six of the 11 spots on the 2010 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association University Division All-State Women's Soccer Team, the NCCSIA announced Wednesday. The six selections were also an NCCSIA record.
Keeper Kelsey Kearney, defender Katie Evans, midfielders Cat Barnekow, Jenn Partenheimer and Kristen Schmidbauer and forward Tabitha Padgett were named to the team. Padgett and Partenheimer were both recognized for the second straight year, while Kearney earned a spot on the team in 2008.
UNCG's six all-state selections are double the previous school record of three, set in 2004 and matched in 2006, 2007 and 2009. The previous NCCSIA record for all-state selections from one school was four, set by Charlotte in 2005 and matched by the 49ers in 2008.
Kearney was a second-team National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Performance Subaru All-Southeast Region performer this season, when she was a first-team All-SoCon pick. The junior from Durham, N.C., led the SoCon and was 11th in NCAA Division I with a 0.55 goals against average, the second-best mark in school history. She also led the league with 12 shutouts, matching UNCG's school record, and became the Spartans' career shutouts leader with another year left to play. Kearney, a team captain, earned a spot on the Under Armour Invitational All-Tournament Team and was the SoCon Player of the Week on Aug. 31. She also took a spot on the SoCon Championship All-Tournament Team and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
Evans, a senior, earned first-team All-SoCon honors for the first time in her career, anchoring a defense that featured at least two freshmen starting around her in every game this year. The team captain from Raleigh, N.C., helped the Spartans post 12 shutouts and allow just 13 goals in 22 games. UNCG's defense was No. 12 in the nation in GAA and 17th in shutout percentage, leading the SoCon in both categories.
Barnekow finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation in assists with a career-high 14, setting new career highs in points (22) and goals (four), as well. The Santa Rosa, Calif., junior earned second-team All-Southeast Region honors as well as All-SoCon first-team distinction. Her 14 assists were the third-most in a single season in school history. She also earned a spot on the Under Armour Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Partenheimer earned All-Southeast Region third-team honors, and was a first-team All-SoCon selection for the second straight year. The Apex, N.C., senior set new career highs in points (18), goals (seven) and assists (4). A team captain, Partenheimer played central midfield for the Spartans, helping an offense that led the SoCon in scoring and a defense that led the league in shutouts and goals against average. Partenheimer earned SoCon Championship All-Tournament honors and scored the game-winner in UNCG's 2-1 win over then-No. 10 Wake Forest on Aug. 23.
Schmidbauer shared the SoCon lead in scoring with 26 points and goals with 10 and was fifth in assists with six this season, earning second-team All-SoCon honors and a spot on the SoCon All-Freshman Team. She scored game-winning goals in two of UNCG's three SoCon Championship games this year, including in the title game. The Woodbine, Md., native also had the Spartans' lone goal in UNCG's 2-1 loss to South Carolina in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Padgett earned all-state honors after a sophomore season that saw her post career highs in points (25), goals (10) and assists (five). She shared the league lead in goals and was a first-team All-SoCon selection for the second straight year. The Orange Park, Fla., native was an All-Southeast Region pick for the second year in a row, as well, moving up to the second team this year after a third-team showing as a freshman, when she was the SoCon Co-Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
UNCG had one of the best seasons in school history this year, going 19-2-1 to match the school record for wins and set a new record for fewest losses. The Spartans went 11-0-0 in the SoCon to win their fifth straight regular-season title, and didn't allow a goal in the SoCon tournament in winning that for the seventh time in school history. UNCG earned its first national ranking since 1998 and reached the top 10 for the first time since 1996. The Spartans made their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2007. Coach Eddie Radwanski was named the NSCAA/Mondo Southeast Region Coach of the Year.
2010 NCCSIA All-State Women's Soccer Team (University Division)
Pos Name Class School Hometown
GK Kelsey Kearney ^ Junior UNCG Durham, N.C.
D Katie Evans Senior UNCG Raleigh, N.C.
D Megan Minnix Senior Charlotte Columbus, Ohio
D Janay Whittaker Sophomore High Point Stone Mountain, Ga.
MF Cat Barnekow Junior UNCG Santa Rosa, Calif.
MF Sam Huecker Senior Charlotte Crestwood, Ky.
MF Jenn Partenheimer % Senior UNCG Apex, N.C.
MF Kristen Schmidbauer Freshman UNCG Woodbine, Md.
F Kelli Joline Freshman High Point Lancaster, Pa.
F Tabitha Padgett % Sophomore UNCG Orange Park, Fla.
F Whitney Weinraub %^ Senior Charlotte Holland, Pa.
% Denotes 2009 NCCSIA Women's Soccer All-State Selection
^ Denotes 2008 NCCSIA Women's Soccer All-State Selection
- UNCG -
