Horizon League Official Release

INDIANAPOLIS - For the second-consecutive season, sophomore Kelly Fritz has been named the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year, the conference office announced on Monday. Fritz additionally placed on the All-League First Team, as sophomores Olivia Everin and Madison Pollard earned All-League Second Team honors and freshman Naomi Rushe was recognized on the All-Freshman Team.

Fritz secures back-to-back Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-League honors following a standout sophomore campaign. She becomes the first player in League history to earn consecutive keeper of the year nods.

Fritz consistently led the conference in saves and ended the year with 92, 27 fewer than last season. She captured five shutouts and managed a 1.65 goals-against-average in 1,583 minutes. In Horizon League play alone, Fritz made 43 stops for a .827 save percentage and let in nine goals for a 1.14 GAA, all while earning three-consecutive shutouts against Cleveland State, Oakland and Green Bay.

Everin picks up her first Horizon League accolade after producing a team-high four goals, which matches the program high set during the inaugural season by Jasmin Carrera. Her four goals and one assist led to a team-best nine points as she additionally was responsible for the game-winning goals against Morehead State, SIUE and Loyola. She played in every game and started 18 times while attempting 32 shots with 14 on goal.

Pollard is recognized for the first time after serving as a strong force on the back line for the Flames all season. She helped keep opponents to nine fewer goals and 37 fewer shots on goal than last season and was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 19 after aiding in back-to-back shutouts. The defensive effort continued to end the year having held conference opponents to 11 goals and a .077 shot percentage, with a mere five goals in the final six games.

Rushe places on the All-Freshman Team after an impressive first season. She earned minutes in all 19 games and made six starts throughout the year as she attempted 21 shots and had 14 reach on goal. She tied for the second-most goals on the team with three and added one assist for seven points, with a team-best five points (2g, 1a) in League play alone. In UIC's final win of the season against Green Bay, she was credited with her first career game-winning goal.

The Flames ended the program's second season with an overall record of 5-12-2 and a 2-6-1 mark in the Horizon League. They established two more wins and shutouts from their inaugural season and had two more goals, four more assists and 52 more shots.


2015 Horizon League Award Winners
Player of the Year: Macy Hamblin, Northern Kentucky
Offensive Player of the Year: Macy Hamblin, Northern Kentucky
Defensive Player of the Year: Cassidy Blanchard, Milwaukee
Goalkeeper of the Year: Kelly Fritz, UIC
Freshman of the Year: Claudia Eustaquio, Detroit
Coach of the Year: Troy Fabiano, Milwaukee

All-League First Team
Macy Hamblin, So., F, Northern Kentucky
Rita Craven, Sr., M, Valparaiso
Joan Sieja, Sr., F/M, Oakland
Jessica Frey, So., F, Northern Kentucky
Bryce Hueber, So, M, Wright State
Alice Palmer, Jr., F, Oakland
April Cronin, Jr., F, Valparaiso
Maria Stephans, Jr., M, Milwaukee
Cassidy Blanchard, So., D, Milwaukee
Nikki Romero, So., M, Wright State
Kelly Fritz, So., GK, UIC

All-League Second Team
Kaila Sargema, Jr., F, Cleveland State
Alyssa Lotito, Sr., D, Detroit
Anna Smalley, So., M, Milwaukee
Kelsey Holbert, Sr., M, Milwaukee
Allie Sieradzki, Sr., M, Cleveland State
Ashley Gogolin, Sr., M, Wright State
Olivia Everin, So., F, UIC
Kyler Lum, So., M, Youngstown State
Madison Pollard, So., D, UIC
Callie O'Donnell, Jr., M, Milwaukee
Paige Lincicum, Jr., GK, Milwaukee

All-Freshman Team
Claudia Eustaquio, GK, Detroit
Aaliyah Patten, F, Wright State
Taylor Spaulding, D, Northern Kentucky
Kelli Swenson, D, Milwaukee
Nikki Romero, M, Wright State
Ashley Thiss, M, Cleveland State
Naomi Rushe, Fr., F, UIC
Maria Zandi, Fr., D/M, Oakland
Emily Zweng, Fr., GK, Oakland
Madison Hughes, M, Youngstown State
Kelsey Jahn, M, Valparaiso