Three players from Concordia University were named to the 2009 Great Plains Athletic Conference women’s soccer All-Conference Team announced Tuesday. Junior Carolyn Chrzan earned First Team All-GPAC honors. Junior Sarah Hoffmann earned Second Team All-GPAC honors, while sophomore Mallorie Blanck was an honorable mention selection.
Chrzan, a forward from Burbank, Calif., led the Bulldogs in scoring this season with a team-high 10 goals to go along with five assists. She played in all 19 games during the 2009 season and had two game-winning goals. Her 10 goals were tied for seventh best in the GPAC. Chrzan was named GPAC Offensive Player-of-the-Week on Oct. 13 after scoring four goals and adding an assist in Concordia wins over Hastings College and Briar Cliff University.
“It’s great to see Carolyn get First Team All-Conference,” said Rob Giesbrecht, head coach of the Bulldogs. “Coming off a medical redshirt year, she returned to have a strong season and great impact on our team. I think the mental toughness that Carolyn gained from dealing with severe misfortune of the injury incident has helped take her game to the next level. I still think she has another level in her, and I am looking forward to coaching her for one more season.”
Hoffmann, a defender from Mesa, Ariz., had a team-high six assists to rank in a tie for sixth place in the GPAC. She played in 18 games with 17 starts for the Bulldogs, and her leadership was vital to the success of the Bulldogs in the 2009 season.
“Sarah is one of the best players in our conference,” said Giesbrecht. “She anchored our back four which was short on experience. Because of her ability and leadership, we were able to defend as a cohesive unit. She also chipped in with six assists, and her service on our set pieces is brilliant. Sarah’s competitiveness and leadership propelled our team forward this season.”
Blanck, a forward from Manhattan, Kan., scored eight goals and added three assists for Concordia this season. She appeared in all 19 games for the Bulldogs, and she was second on the team in scoring with 19 points. Blanck had a team-high 32 shots on goal. Her eight goals tied for ninth in the GPAC for goals scored this season, and she added two game-winning goals for the Bulldogs.
“Mallorie had a strong year as well,” commented Giesbrecht. “She is a clinical finisher and scored some crucial goals for us. Mallorie and Carolyn have formed an effective partnership up top for us, and I am thrilled that they have another year together. Mallorie’s best soccer is ahead of her. She is so talented and can change a game with ability to either create a scoring opportunity for someone else or to knock one in herself. She has matured a lot this year and has taken a huge step forward.”
Concordia finished the 2009 season with an overall record of 7-10-2 to go along with a 5-7-0 mark in the GPAC. The Bulldogs overcame several injuries and a slow start in conference play to qualify for postseason play in the GPAC Tournament. The Bulldogs were a very balanced squad in 2009, and Coach Giesbrecht discussed other players who had All-Conference caliber seasons.
“I wish more of our player could’ve received recognition,” said Giesbrecht. “Ariel Harris had a great year in goal. There is not another goalkeeper in our conference that I would rather have than Ariel. She is a fantastic shot-stopper and is starting to become an excellent on-field leader. Hannah Denk also was very good this year. She probably is our most consistent performer. Her dependability and versatility are huge assets to our team. I am very proud of my team this year. Even though we missed several key players due to season-long injuries, we accomplished our goal of qualifying for the postseason.”