Metuchen, NJ — Closely contested all season, the UWS Southwest Conference gave us excellent and exciting soccer in 2021. SA Athenians claimed the conference title after finishing second in the regular season standings to Lone Star Republic, and both clubs are well represented in the individual honors awarded to Southwest Conference players.
Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year — D – Jamie Erickson (SA Athenians)
After playing every minute for SA Athenians over the course of 13 games, Jamie Erickson earns Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Athenians conceded only 11 goals in 10 regular-season games, and Erickson — their captain — played a considerable role in creating that defensive solidity. The Canadian elevated her game even further in the Southwest Conference title game, where Athenians kept a clean sheet against a Lone Star Republic side that had scored 41 goals in 10 games in the regular season. She also scored the winning goal late in that game.
Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year — M – Kenne Kessler (Lone Star Republic)
Kenne Kessler proved to be one of the truly elite attacking forces across UWS last season, and claims the Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year award as a result. She scored 12 goals and added five assists in just 10 games between the regular season and playoffs for Lone Star Republic. Formerly of Villarreal CF in Spain’s second division, Kessler finished tied with Joan Nakirya of Side FC atop the UWS goals leaderboard.
Southwest Conference Coach of the Year — Fabio Melo de Alcantara (SA Athenians)
Fabio Melo de Alcantara brought SA Athenians to new heights in his first season as the club’s head coach. Melo de Alcantara, who previously applied his trade in the youth academy of Brazilian giants Cruzeiro, led his side to its best ever record — finishing 9-1 — with his passionate coaching style. That earned Athenians their first ever postseason appearance, and they went on to win the Southwest Conference and claim a spot in the UWS National Championship Tournament.
2021 UWS All-Southwest Conference First Team
GK – Mia Wildeman (SA Athenians)
D – Jamie Erickson (SA Athenians)
D – Satara Murray (FC Austin Elite)
D – Tahlor Lyman (Lone Star Republic)
M – Kenne Kessler (Lone Star Republic)
M – Bronwyn Boswell (Lone Star Republic)
M – Isabela Beletic (SA Athenians)
F – Ryann Hierholzer (FC Austin Elite)
F – Jo Nakirya (Side FC 92)
F – Amanda Smith (SA Athenians)
F – Van Fitch (Side FC 92)
Iron Women of the Year (played every minute of every match in the regular season)
Jamie Erickson (SA Athenians) – 10 games, 900 minutes
Liz Harrington (FC Austin Elite) – 10 games, 900 minutes
Zigi Ahortor (WilCo FC) – 9 games, 810 minutes
2021 UWS All-Southwest Conference Second Team
GK – Payton Woodward (Side FC 92)
D – Amanda Lisberger (FC Austin Elite)
D – Ashley Cathro (SA Athenians)
D – Kristen Ricks (Lone Star Republic)
D – Natalee Geren (WilCo FC)
M – Anna Gornell (Side FC 92)
M- Ashley Newland (SA Athenians)
M – Mimi Asom (Lone Star Republic)
M – Olga Massombo (Bat Country FC)
F – Esmeralda Gonzales (Alacranes Fort Worth)
F – Zigi Ahortor (WilCo FC)
