Nov. 2, 2012

Complete WCC All-Academic Release | LMU on Facebook | LMU on Twitter

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Whitney Sharpe led five Lions honored by the West Coast Conference Friday as the league released its 2012 Women's Soccer All-Academic Teams. Sharpe was named to the 11-member WCC All-Academic Team while Jenni Benger, Tawni Martino, Cori McGovern and Darien Pyka all earned Honorable Mention honors.

At the conclusion of each athletic season, the WCC selects an all-academic squad for each WCC-sponsored sport. To be considered, a student-athlete must maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average, while also being a significant contributor to her team.

Sharpe, a redshirt senior, holds a 3.68 cumulative GPA and will graduate this coming spring with a degree in history. On the field, the West Des Moines, Iowa, native was a key member of the Lions' defensive line that held opponents to a 1.22 goals against average and six shutouts. She also added one goal and a pair of assists.

Benger, a sophomore natural science major with a 3.55 cumulative GPA, was also a season-long starter in the LMU back line. Martino, a junior marketing major with a 3.46 cumulative GPA tied for the team lead with four goals, marking the third straight season she lead the Lions in scoring. McGovern, a senior communications studies major with a 3.48 cumulative GPA concluded her fourth year as a starting central midfielder. Pyka, a junior environmental science major with a 3.31 cumulative GPA, had a breakout season, pacing the Lion attack with four goals, including three game-winners, and three assists.

The Lions concluded the 2012 season on Thursday with a heartbreaking 1-0 double overtime loss to No. 4 BYU. LMU finished 9-8-2 overall and 3-5-0 in WCC action.

2012 WEST COAST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Name, School, Class, GPA, Major
Sarah Bridges, Portland, JR, 3.87, Political Science
Emma Dolcetti, Gonzaga, SR, 3.37, Psychology
Carlee Payne Holmoe, BYU, SR, 3.53, Public Health
Kendall Johnson, Portland, JR, 3.82, Communication
Mackenzie Krieser, San Francisco, SO, 3.61, Exercise Sports Science
Jaciara Mello, San Francisco, SO, 3.88, Architecture
Erica Owens, BYU, JR, 3.59, Exercise & Wellness
Ana Pontes, Pepperdine, SR, 3.72, Sports Medicine
Ellie Rice, Santa Clara, JR, 3.51, Psychology
Whitney Sharpe, LMU, RS-SR, 3.68, History
Caitlin Williams, San Diego, SR, 3.89, Accounting

2012 WCC WOMEN'S SOCCER ALL-ACADEMIC HONORABLE MENTION
Lauren AbuAli (San Francisco); Ashley Bazzarone (BYU); Jenni Benger (LMU); Taylor Brooke (Portland); Kaila Cameli (Portland); Micaela Capelle (Portland); Dana Oldroyd Cusick (BYU); Michelle Cruz (Portland); Erin Dees (Portland); Kristin DeGrandmont (Pepperdine); Emily Eckmann (Gonzaga); Sierra Ferreira (San Diego); Mariah Hobbs (San Diego); Allyson Holtz (Pepperdine); Taylor Housley (San Diego); Olivia Klei (Santa Clara); Caroline Kreuz (Saint Mary's); Amanda LeCave (Pepperdine); Tori Lee (Gonzaga); Melinda Madden (Saint Mary's); Morgan Manchester (Gonzaga); Layla Martin (San Francisco); Tawni Martino (LMU); Cori McGovern (LMU); Ellen Parker (Portland); Callie Payetta (Pepperdine); Katey Pennington (Gonzaga); Abigail Phillips (San Francisco); Darien Pyka (LMU); Cali Reis (Santa Clara); Paige Robertson (Santa Clara); Olivia Schultz (San Diego); Emily Sippel (Portland)

-GO LIONS-