Rio Grande had six players recognized on the All-River States Conference Women's Soccer teams. Pictured are, from left to right, (top row) first team selections Amora Albano and Hannah Halstead, as well as second-teamer Julia Döller ; (bottom row) second teamers Jitske De Muijnk and Julia Lovemark and third team pick Morgan Nutter.

Posted: Nov 16, 2023

Rio puts six on All-RSC Women's Soccer teams

Rio Grande/RSC Sports Information
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – Amora Albano and Hannah Halstead head up a half-dozen University of Rio Grande players named to the 2023 All-River States Conference Women's Soccer Teams.
The All-RSC First, Second & Third Teams, which were selected through balloting of the league's head coaches, were released by league officials prior to last Saturday's RSC Championship final between top-seeded Indiana University Kokomo and third-seeded Rio Grande.
A total of 42 players were recognized on the three teams, with the First Team featuring four forwards, four midfielders, four defenders and two goalkeepers.
The Second Team includes four forwards, four midfielders, five defenders and three goalkeepers, while the Third Team was comprised of four forwards, four midfielders, three defenders and one goalkeeper.
Albano, a freshman forward from Albany, Ohio, finished with a team-best 12 goals and 28 points for first-year head coach Brooke Perkins' squad. Her 12 goals tied for third among the league leaders.
Halstead, a sophomore from Delaware, Ohio, started all 18 games and is regarded as one of the RedStorm's top defenders.
Rio, which finished 8-5-5 after its scoreless draw and penalty kick loss to the Cougars in the tourney championship, allowed one goal or less in nine of its 18 contests.
Representing the RedStorm on the second team was senior forward Julia Döller (Meiningen, Germany), sophomore midfielder Jitske De Muijnk (Nymegen, The Netherlands) and sophomore defender Julia Lovemark (Vasteras, Sweden).
Döller ranked second on the team with 10 goals and 24 points, while recording a team-best three game-winning goals. De Muijnk was third on the team with nine goals and 23 points, while recording a team-high five assists.
Lovemark had just three shots all season, but scored on two of them and - along with Halstead - was one of the club's top defenders.
Senior goal keeper Morgan Nutter (Ashville, OH) was a third team honoree.
Nutter tallied 81 saves and a .779 save percentage, while also recording five clean sheet efforts in goal.
IU Kokomo snared two of the league's individual awards with goalkeeper Sydney Miller named as the Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Sohaila Akhavein voted Coach of the Year.
The Cougars, who won both the regular season and tournament championship, grabbed the league's lone spot in the NAIA National Championship.
Point Park (Pa.) University brought in the other individual awards with forward Holly Pascoe tabbed as the league's Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Her teammate, Lorena Montanes, a midfielder, was selected as the Newcomer of the Year.
Joining Albano, Halstead, Miller, Pascoe and Montanes on the first team were forwards Keely Hoopingarner of IU Kokomo and Haylee Applegate from Midway; midfielders Maggie Bischoff from IU East, Shawnee State's Brianna Brudy and Kelsi Hoot of IU Kokomo; defenders Cassie Dispennett and Karlie Kellett of IU Kokomo and Point Park's Orsi Tatai; and goal keeper Maggie Pappas from Point Park.
The league also named a Champions of Character Team, as well as its Scholar-Athlete Team.
The Champions of Character Team featured one honoree from each school who best exhibits the NAIA's five character values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
Lovemark was Rio Grande's honoree.
The Scholar-Athlete Team includes student-athletes with a 3.25 GPA or higher who have been at their institution at least one year earn the honor.
Earning a place on the list from the RedStorm was Halstead, Lovemark, senior Delaney Purtee (Wheelersburg, OH); juniors Charlotte Pilgrim (Middlesbrough, England) and Abi Seals (Chillicothe, OH); and the sophomore duo of Emma Hinkle (Marengo, OH) and Saskia Vos (Sydney, Australia).