Caldwell Earns MAC Freshman of the Year as Cardinals Land Five on All-MAC Teams
November 01, 2022 | Soccer
CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference announced its yearly specialty awards along with the All-MAC Teams on Tuesday. The Ball State soccer team was led by Delaney Caldwell who was named the MAC Freshman of the Year, while Avery Fenchel, Lexi Fraley, Abby Elgert, and Lexy Smith each received an All-MAC selection.
The Cardinals had five student-athletes claim spots on All-MAC Teams which ties the second most in program history. It is the first time since 2017 that BSU had five selected to all-conference teams.
"It's a proud day for our program to see our student-athletes be honored for their hard work throughout the season," said Head Coach Josh Rife. "These awards speak to the individual's effort and quality as well as to the total work of the team."
Caldwell led the way with a Freshman of the Year accolade. She also landed on the All-MAC Second Team as well as the All-Freshman Team. Caldwell is tied for 10th all-time in BSU history with seven goals in a single season and is tied for 16th in program history with 15 points. She leads the Cardinals with three match-winning goals. She has appeared in 18 matches, including 13 starts. She has been a key part of the Ball State attack.
Fenchel earned her first All-MAC nod as she earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team. She leads the team with 11 goals and is currently tied for second in the MAC and 25th in the NCAA. Her 11 goals are the second most in program history in a single season and are two away from the program record. Her 22 points have her tied for fourth for points in a single season.
After picking up on the MAC All-Freshman Team last season, Fraley collected her first All-MAC First Team selection. She has played a vital role in the Cardinal attack and is third on the team with five goals to go along with her two assists. Two of her goals ended up being match winners, which is second on the team.
Elgert has put together a historical season for her junior campaign. She tied a program record for single season assists with seven, which is tied for fourth in the MAC and tied for 43rd in the nation. She leads the team in assists and looks to add to her total during the Cardinals' postseason play. Elgert landed on the All-MAC Second Team.
Smith rounds out the Cardinals selected to all-conference teams as she tallied her second all-conference honor. She earned an All-MAC Second Team selection. She is second on the team with five assists. She has recorded a career high in points with seven, assists, and goals with one. She has started all 18 matches as a defender. She has blocked countless shots and has helped the Cardinals secure six shutouts.
The Cardinals begin MAC Tournament play with a semifinal matchup with the Bowling Green Falcons on Thursday, Nov. 3. First touch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Coach of the Year: Shawn Burke, Buffalo
Offensive Player of the Year: Kennedy White, Bowling Green
Defensive Player of the Year: Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Goalkeeper of the Year: Emily Kelly, Buffalo
Freshman of the Year: Delaney Caldwell, Ball State
All-MAC First Team
Forward: Avery Fenchel, Ball State
Forward: Kennedy White, Bowling Green
Forward: Abby Townsend, Ohio
Forward: Regan Berg, Ohio
Forward: Jenna Blackburn, Western Michigan
Midfielder: Lexi Fraley, Ball State
Midfielder: Maya Dean, Bowling Green
Midfielder: Camber Hayes, Miami
Defender: Mackenzie Reuber, Bowling Green
Defender: Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Defender: Tianna Harris, Kent State
Goalkeeper: Emily Kelly, Buffalo
All-MAC Second Team
Forward, Ella Hadley, Akron
Forward: Delaney Caldwell, Ball State
Forward: Abby Elgert, Ball State
Forward: Morgan Otteson, Toledo
Midfielder: Payton Robertson, Buffalo
Midfielder: Leah Wengender, Buffalo
Midfielder: Maddie O'Farrell, Eastern Michigan
Defender: Lexy Smith, Ball State
Defender: Hannah Callaghan, Buffalo
Defender: Norah Roush, Miami
Defender: Mira Pierre-Webster, Western Michigan
Goalkeeper: Izzie Vaccari, Miami
All-Freshman Team
Emma King, Akron
Delaney Caldwell, Ball State
Brynn Gardner, Bowling Green
Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Katie Krohn, Buffalo
Hannah Thompson, Eastern Michigan
Kelsey Salopek, Kent State
Norah Roush, Miami
Eve Berish, Ohio
Amber Best, Northern Illinois
Madi Canada, Western Michigan
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The Cardinals had five student-athletes claim spots on All-MAC Teams which ties the second most in program history. It is the first time since 2017 that BSU had five selected to all-conference teams.
"It's a proud day for our program to see our student-athletes be honored for their hard work throughout the season," said Head Coach Josh Rife. "These awards speak to the individual's effort and quality as well as to the total work of the team."
Caldwell led the way with a Freshman of the Year accolade. She also landed on the All-MAC Second Team as well as the All-Freshman Team. Caldwell is tied for 10th all-time in BSU history with seven goals in a single season and is tied for 16th in program history with 15 points. She leads the Cardinals with three match-winning goals. She has appeared in 18 matches, including 13 starts. She has been a key part of the Ball State attack.
Fenchel earned her first All-MAC nod as she earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team. She leads the team with 11 goals and is currently tied for second in the MAC and 25th in the NCAA. Her 11 goals are the second most in program history in a single season and are two away from the program record. Her 22 points have her tied for fourth for points in a single season.
After picking up on the MAC All-Freshman Team last season, Fraley collected her first All-MAC First Team selection. She has played a vital role in the Cardinal attack and is third on the team with five goals to go along with her two assists. Two of her goals ended up being match winners, which is second on the team.
Elgert has put together a historical season for her junior campaign. She tied a program record for single season assists with seven, which is tied for fourth in the MAC and tied for 43rd in the nation. She leads the team in assists and looks to add to her total during the Cardinals' postseason play. Elgert landed on the All-MAC Second Team.
Smith rounds out the Cardinals selected to all-conference teams as she tallied her second all-conference honor. She earned an All-MAC Second Team selection. She is second on the team with five assists. She has recorded a career high in points with seven, assists, and goals with one. She has started all 18 matches as a defender. She has blocked countless shots and has helped the Cardinals secure six shutouts.
The Cardinals begin MAC Tournament play with a semifinal matchup with the Bowling Green Falcons on Thursday, Nov. 3. First touch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Coach of the Year: Shawn Burke, Buffalo
Offensive Player of the Year: Kennedy White, Bowling Green
Defensive Player of the Year: Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Goalkeeper of the Year: Emily Kelly, Buffalo
Freshman of the Year: Delaney Caldwell, Ball State
All-MAC First Team
Forward: Avery Fenchel, Ball State
Forward: Kennedy White, Bowling Green
Forward: Abby Townsend, Ohio
Forward: Regan Berg, Ohio
Forward: Jenna Blackburn, Western Michigan
Midfielder: Lexi Fraley, Ball State
Midfielder: Maya Dean, Bowling Green
Midfielder: Camber Hayes, Miami
Defender: Mackenzie Reuber, Bowling Green
Defender: Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Defender: Tianna Harris, Kent State
Goalkeeper: Emily Kelly, Buffalo
All-MAC Second Team
Forward, Ella Hadley, Akron
Forward: Delaney Caldwell, Ball State
Forward: Abby Elgert, Ball State
Forward: Morgan Otteson, Toledo
Midfielder: Payton Robertson, Buffalo
Midfielder: Leah Wengender, Buffalo
Midfielder: Maddie O'Farrell, Eastern Michigan
Defender: Lexy Smith, Ball State
Defender: Hannah Callaghan, Buffalo
Defender: Norah Roush, Miami
Defender: Mira Pierre-Webster, Western Michigan
Goalkeeper: Izzie Vaccari, Miami
All-Freshman Team
Emma King, Akron
Delaney Caldwell, Ball State
Brynn Gardner, Bowling Green
Ellie Simmons, Buffalo
Katie Krohn, Buffalo
Hannah Thompson, Eastern Michigan
Kelsey Salopek, Kent State
Norah Roush, Miami
Eve Berish, Ohio
Amber Best, Northern Illinois
Madi Canada, Western Michigan
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