Three Oxy women's soccer players earn postseason honors
LOS ANGELES — Senior forward Whitney Roline (Eugene, Ore.) earned the Brine Award of Distinction and was named First Team All-SCIAC on Monday, leading a group of three Occidental College women's soccer players that took home postseason honors.
Freshman forward Michaela Tsuha (Honolulu) and sophomore defender Taryn Ng (Milpitas) both were named to the second team.
Roline, a captain, led Oxy with four goals and nine points. She scored a hat trick against Soka University in a 5-0 win on Sept. 9, assisted the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over La Verne on Sept. 29 and had a game-winner of her own in a 1-0 win over Whittier on Oct. 13.
But her success wasn't limited to just the playing field and the Brine Award acknowledges her efforts in the classroom and in the community as well.
"Whitney has grown as a player and a person over the last four years," Occidental coach Colm McFeely said. "Her drive, passion, maturity and never-say-die attitude make her a pleasure to coach, a wonderful teammate and an outstanding example of what it is to be a true student-athlete in a competitive academic and athletic environment."
Ng, also a captain, was one of the more physical defenders in the entire conference and a model of consistency for the Tigers in the back line.
"Taryn was a consistent, polished performer throughout the entire season and fully deserved to be honored on the All-SCIAC second team," McFeely said. "As a sophomore she took on the captain's role and was a tremendous leader for a younger squad. She has a lot more to offer and I'm excited to see her develop over the next two years."
Tsuha was one of the more explosive players in the league and had flashes where she was the best player of the field. She finished with eight points on a pair of goals and four assists.
"Michaela's All-SCIAC selection is a reward for a first year of hard work, commitment and dynamic attacking play," McFeely said. "Michaela started all 16 games and played the majority of every game with an attitude, drive and enjoyment that was exciting to see. Her ability to take on and go past defenders was the hallmark of her game and I'm excited to see more from her in the years ahead.
Cal Lutheran sophomore Taylor Will was named the Athlete of the Year and Redlands freshman Savannah Laursen earned Newcomer of the Year, rounding out the individual awards.
Chapman led the conference with four First Team All-SCIAC players.
