Women’s Soccer Announces 2021 Team Awards

Peters named Titan Standard Honoree and Defensive MVP

12/10/2021 3:29:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team announced its team awards for the 2021 season. Senior Caelyn Steffens (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community), juniors Maggie Peters (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community) and Lauren Shanks (Bloomington, Ill.-Central Catholic), and freshman Liza Matimore (Gurnee, Ill.-Warren Township) were recognized. All award winners were named by the team. Along with Peters, seniors Rachel White (Naperville, Ill.-Waubonsie Valley) and Madison Fischer (Orland Park, Ill.- Carl Sandburg) were named the 2022 captains.

Steffens and Shanks were tabbed Co-Offensive MVPs while Peters was named the Defensive MVP. Peters was also recognized as the Titan Standard award winner, Matimore was voted most improved.

The Titans' attack was always a threat, especially with team and conference offensive leaders Steffens and Shanks at the front lines. Most recently the duo were named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region teams, in addition to All-CCIW First Team distinctions.

Steffens led the Green and White in points (33) and goals (13) during the season, not only leading the Titans but also in the conference. The Normal, Ill. native also ranked first in the CCIW in points per game (1.83) and second in the CCIW and on the team in assists (7). The senior was also named the CCIW Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight year.

Shanks led the Titans and the CCIW in assists with nine and in assists per game (0.50). The Bloomington, Ill. native was second on the team and in the conference in goals (7) and points (23). Shanks secured a career-high six points in a single game against Carthage College, Oct. 30, credited to her two goals and two assists. The six-point day put Shanks in the all-time record book tied for 10th-most points in a single game.

On the defensive side, the Titans were backed by Peters, the Defensive MVP. A reliable center back, the Normal, Ill. product led the Titans to three shutouts this season. The junior also scored her first career goal in a 2-1 victory over North Central, to wrap up the season with a career-high three points.

Peters not only garnered defensive honors but was named the Titan Standard Award recipient. This award is given to the player who comes to work everyday and sets the standard for the team.

A freshman, Matimore earned the team's Most Improved award. She played in all 18 games for the Green and White this season, earning a starting nod in seven of them. The Gurnee, Ill. native stepped up to play an outside back defensive role while also aiding the Titans offensive by getting forward and down the line. Matimore grabbed her first collegiate goal during the 5-0 blanking of North Park, Sept. 25 to cap her stat line for the season.

Illinois Wesleyan finished its season with a 9-8-1 overall record and 7-1-0 in the CCIW. The Titans also claimed a share of the CCIW Regular Season title in head coach Keri Sanchez's first season at the helm, the first time since 2016. Sanchez awarded letters to 23 student-athletes for the 2021 campaign.

Letterwinners:
Kayla Borg
Tegan Timerman
Liza Matimore
Audrey Hofstetter
Amanda Yaeger
Halle Lange
Maddy Koppe
Sarah Johnson
Anny Mitra
Jenna Li
Lauren Shanks
Maggie Peters
Riley Haug
Maria Fields
Shannon Hogeman
Rachel White
Madison Fischer
Caelyn Steffens
Izzy Mitra
Heather Dietrich
Erin Peck
Sofia Papoutsis
Angelina Kosmas

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