Senior defender Jordan Salisbury (Federal Way, Wash.) and junior midfielder Julia Besagno (Maple Valley, Wash.) have been named Third Team All-Pacific Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Salisbury was part of a veteran backline that helped Seattle U post seven shutouts during the 2011 season. She also tied for the team lead with four goals, including two game-winning goals. Salisbury scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the season opener at Sacramento State as well as the first goal in the Redhawks' 3-0 victory over Hawaii.
Besagno started every match during the 2011 season and helped set up Seattle U's offense from the middle of the field. She scored two penalty kick goals, including the goal that led to the Redhawks' 2-1 victory over UNLV. Besagno also earned an assist in the match against UNLV.
"We are so proud of Jordan's and Julia's accomplishment. They are in some very good company on the All-Region teams. Those two individuals are extremely talented athletes and great leaders of our team. They work extremely hard each and every day, and their award is very much deserved," Seattle U head coach Julie Woodward said.
Seattle University finished the 2011 season with a 12-6-1 record, including a 2-0 victory over nationally-ranked and NCAA Tournament participant Portland. Woodward won her 200th career match as head coach of the Redhawks and is nominated by the Seattle Sports Commission for Female Sports Star of the Year, with the winner of the online voting to be announced at the Sports Star of the Year Awards next Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Benaroya Hall.
The Seattle University women's soccer team will join the Western Athletic Conference next season and will be immediately eligible for the league title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that accompanies the conference tournament championship.