Soccer Places Three On All-MAC Team

MUNCIE, Ind. ? For the seventh straight season, the Ball State soccer team has multiple players honored by the Mid-American Conference with postseason accolades as senior defender Sarah Schumacker (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield) and junior midfielder Megan Ridley (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) earned First Team All-MAC honors while senior forward Emily Rein (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) was named Second Team All-MAC.

Schumacker earns her first career All-MAC honor after moving from forward last season to the defensive position this fall. She solidified the Cardinals' backline this year as Ball State posted an 0.93 goals against average as a team. She helped the Cardinals post seven shutouts, including four in MAC play.

Schumacker also continued to shine on the offensive end as she finished the season fourth on the team in scoring with seven points as she scored two goals and dished out three assists. She finishes her career sixth all-time in career scoring with 34 points, seventh in career goals with 11 and fifth in assists with 12.

“To me, if anyone deserved to be recognized this season it was Sarah Schumacker,” head coach Michael Lovett said. “She epitomized a true team player this season as she played many different positions. She unselfishly moved from forward to defense for the betterment of our team and flourished in the back. She was arguably our best player this year and I am happy that she was recognized by the league for her play.”

Ridley was an anchor in the midfield this season for the Cardinals as she earned the first All-MAC honor of her career. She played all 20 games as a central midfielder and finished the season second on the team in scoring with nine points. She was second on the team with four goals, while also adding one assist.

Ridley finished the season tied for the MAC lead with three game-winning goals on the year. She posted the game-clinging goals in the Cardinals' victories over Air Force, Eastern Michigan and Buffalo. She was a constant threat on offense as she tallied 35 shots on the year.

“Megan Ridley is a special player,” Lovett said. “She started the year out lacking confidence but she never stopped battling and turned it around as conference play started. She was a big-time player for us as she came up with some game-winning goals this year. She was consistently one of the top players on the field this year and was a player that opposing teams concentrated on.”

Rein becomes the first player in Ball State history to be recognized by the MAC all four years of her career as she earned First Team All-MAC honors as a sophomore, Second Team All-MAC honors as a junior and senior and was named to the MAC All-Freshman team. She led the Cardinals in scoring for the fourth straight season as she tallied 16 points on the year. She led the team in goals with five and assists with six.

She finishes her career with her name all over the Cardinals' record book as she is second all-time in scoring in Ball State history with 70 total points, just six off of the lead. She is also second all-time in career goals with 27 and second in assists with 16 on her career.

“Emily Rein was consistently our best offensive threat throughout the year,” Lovett said. “She was able to lead our team in goals and assists for the fourth time in her career. Her hard work and dedication for the game she loves and for the team that she loves is what we want Ball State soccer to stand for. I am happy that she has been honored once again by the league.”

Toledo forward Molly Cornwell was named the MAC Player of the Year for the second straight season while Rocket goalkeeper Vicki Traven picked up MAC Freshman of the Year honors. Central Michigan coach Tom Anagnost earned MAC Coach of the Year honors after taking over the coaching duties seven matches into the season and leading the Chippewas to a second place finish in the conference.

2008 Women's Soccer Post Season Honorees

2008 MAC All-Freshman Team

Megan Amann, Bowling Green

Alyssa Zuccaro, Bowling Green

Liesel Toth, Central Michigan

Claire Horton, Central Michigan

Chelsea Detrick, Eastern Michigan

Vanessa Atanasoski, Eastern Michigan

Julie Kaim, Eastern Michigan

Vicki Traven, Toledo

Jaimie Morsillo, Toledo

Kristen Lynn, Toledo

Stephanie Skowneski, Western Michigan

2008 All-MAC Second Team

Midfielder -- Catharine Marosszeky, Kent State

Midfielder ? Caitlin Hester, Kent State

Midfielder ? Danielle Hays, Miami

Forward ? Emily Rein, Ball State

Forward ? Corbie Yee, Bowling Green

Forward ? Lindsey Bailey, Buffalo

Forward ? Britni Back, Akron

Defender ? Liesel Toth, Central Michigan

Defender ? Sarah Burns, Central Michigan

Defender ? Tara Witt, Toledo

Goalkeeper ? Shay Mannino, Central Michigan

2008 All-MAC First Team

Midfielder ? Megan Ridley, Ball State

Midfielder ? Stephanie Martin, Central Michigan

Midfielder ? Katie Lozar, Eastern Michigan

Forward ? Sara Lund, Miami

Forward ? Amy Lower, Ohio

Forward ? Molly Cornwell, Toledo

Forward ? Amanda Waugh, Central Michigan

Defender ? Sarah Schumacker, Ball State

Defender ? Colleen Kordan, Bowling Green

Defender ? Katie Zundel, Eastern Michigan

Goalkeeper ? Alexa Arsenault, Bowling Green

Freshman of the Year

Toledo's Vicki Traven

Player of the Year

Toledo's Molly Cornwell

Coach of the Year

Central Michigan's Tom Anagnost

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Ball State University Athletics

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Emily Rein

Megan Ridley

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