Mason Named MAC Freshman of the Year, Four Make Second Team

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ball State soccer's Tatiana Mason has been named the 2018 Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year in addition to being selected to the All-MAC Second Team and All-Freshman Team. Joining Mason on the Second Team are teammates Paula Guerrero, Emily Simmons and Tristin Stuteville.

Mason has put together a stellar freshman campaign to date, scoring six goals and tallying three assists for 15 points. Her six goals lead all freshmen in the MAC. The Ann Arbor native was particularly clutch late in games as she led all MAC players with five game winning goals for the year. Mason's 15 points lead Ball State on the year.

"I'm delighted for Tatiana to receive this accolade. She is one of several talented freshmen that have allowed us to be so successful yet again this year," said head coach Craig Roberts. "Her hard work and coachability have allowed her to raise her game from day one. I believe her commitment, dedication and desire will be a foundation for even more recognition in the future."

Guerrero was a leader in the midfield for Ball State all season and scored all three of her career goals during the 2018 campaign. The Spanish native's first goal came on senior day in a 3-1 defeat of Omaha. Guerrero saved her best career game for the MAC Tournament when she recorded a brace against Buffalo. She buried a penalty kick and the game winner on a free kick in double overtime. Guerrero served as a free kick specialist for the Cardinals throughout the season. Overall, she added four assists to her three goals for 10 points.

Stuteville was granted a fifth year of eligibility prior to the 2018 season, and it paid dividends for the Cardinals. The Kansas City native played all but nine minutes in goal this year. Stuteville recorded 62 saves with a save-percentage of .816. The Saint Louis transfer tallied six solo shutouts and a team shutout for seven on the season.

Simmons was a key newcomer for BSU after transferring in from Green Bay. Simmons was named to the Horizon League's All-Freshman Team in her lone year with Green Bay, and now makes the All-MAC Second Team in her first year as a Cardinal. The Ontario, Canada native started every game for Ball State this season on the back line and helped the Cardinals record seven shutouts.

"I'm proud of each member that has received an award this year," Roberts stated. "Although each player is deserving of the recognition, it is the team that is most important to these individuals. They have been the pillars of our success and will continue to drive our championship culture and standards."

Ball State's season continues when the Cardinals take on Western Michigan in the MAC Tournament semifinals on Friday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. ET.

2018 MAC Soccer Regular Season Awards

Regular Season Champion: Bowling Green Falcons

MAC Offensive Player of the Year: Erica Hubert, Senior, F, Bowling Green

MAC Defensive Player of the Year: Maureen Kennedy, Junior, D, Bowling Green

MAC Freshman of the Year: Tatiana Mason, Freshman, MF, Ball State

MAC Coach of the Year: Matt Fannon, Bowling Green

All-MAC First Team

Forward: Erica Hubert, Bowling Green
Forward: Carissima Cutrona, Buffalo
Forward: Hannah Scafaria, Toledo
Midfielder: Chelsee Washington, Bowling Green
Midfielder: Alyssa Burke, Western Michigan
Midfielder: Vital Kats, Kent State
Midfielder: Sabrina McNeill, Eastern Michigan
Defender: Mauren Kennedy, Bowling Green
Defender: Morgan Abbitt, Bowling Green
Defender: Paige Culver, Kent State
Goalkeeper: Kathleen Duwve, Bowling Green

All-MAC Second Team

Forward: Kristin Nason, Eastern Michigan
Forward: Lexi Pelafas, Central Michigan
Forward: Alivia Milesky, Ohio
Midfielder: Paula Guerrero, Ball State
Midfielder: Maddie Holmes, Kent State
Midfielder: Maria Collica, Ohio
Midfielder: Hannah Kahn, Western Michigan
Midfielder: Tatiana Mason, Ball State
Defender: Ashley Amato, Akron
Defender: Gurjeena Jandu, Buffalo
Defender: Emily Simmons, Ball State
Defender: Mandy Arnzen, Ohio
Goalkeeper: Tristin Stuteville, Ball State

All-Freshman Team

Carly Pcholinsky, MF, Akron
Sydney Worthy, F, Akron
Tatiana Mason, MF, Ball State
Sarah Allen, F, Bowling Green
Tess Ford, D, Buffalo
Emily Kelly, GK, Buffalo
Faith O'Neill, GK, Kent State
Lyda Bogdanovitch, F/MF, Miami
Abby Townsend, MF, Ohio
Olivia Sensky, D, Ohio
Ashton Cassel, MF, Toledo
Victoria Kryiakopoulos, D, Western Michigan
Hannah Sargent, GK, Western Michigan
Kai Sugiyama, D, Western Michigan

For all the latest on Ball State soccer, follow @BallStateSoccer on social media and visit BallStateSports.com.

Mason Named MAC Freshman of the Year, Four Make Second Team

Players Mentioned

Paula Guerrero

Tatiana Mason

Emily Simmons

Tristin Stuteville

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