ARLINGTON, TX - Seattle U women's soccer was well represented in the 2023 Western Athletic Conference postseason awards, taking home two player of the year selections. Kait Raffensperger was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Kassidy Kirgan took home Freshman of the year, to go along with four other Redhawks making All-Conference teams.
"I was so incredibly happy to see many of our players get the recognition they deserve," said head coach Julie Woodward. "I think it is a true testament to the entire team. While I do believe there are players essential to the success of this team this season that were overlooked, I am confident they are looking forward to showcasing themselves in the conference tournament. The strength of this team has been the team and selflessness all season long."
After helping lead the Redhawks to nine shutouts on the season and a goal differential of +9, Raffensperger was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in her career. The junior from Redmond also scored her first two colligate goals this season, scoring her first at Washington State before adding another in Texas vs Abilene Christian. She was also named First Team All-WAC for the first time. The defender was a part of the All-Freshman team in 2021 and was named Second Team last season.
"Kait has truly been one of the best in the conference, Woodward said of her team captain. "She is the only player to have played every minute of every game and is just a talented, competitive, great leader for this team."
Kirgan was named the Freshman of the Year after starting all 18 matches in goal for the Redhawks. She compiled nine clean sheets in her freshman campaign, making 59 saves in nearly 1500 minutes of action. She was also named to the conference's All-Freshman team.
The Redhawks also had three players named to the Second Team, with Jourdyn Curran, Kailee Wilson, and Caroline Penner all being honored. For Curran and Wilson, it was their first time being named to the Second Team, while Penner makes it back-to-back appearances. Wilson also doubled dipped on the season, being named to the All-Freshman team as well.
"Penner is really hitting her stride at the right time and is just an unbelievable goal scorer," Woodward added. "Jourdyn has been one of the unsung heroes of the team this year having to defend many of the best attackers in the conference."
Joining Kirgan and Wilson on the All-Freshman team was Katie Piburn. Along with her fellow freshman who were honored, Piburn also started all 18 matches in the 2023 regular season.
"Kirgan, Wilson and Piburn have been so solid since the moment they set foot on campus," Woodward said of her freshman class. "Having three freshmen get recognized shows what a bright future this program has."
The Redhawks will be back in action when they open the 2023 Western Athletic Conference tournament with a rematch with Southern Utah on Sunday, Oct. 29. Kickoff between the Redhawks and Thunderbirds will be at 7pm PT with the match being broadcast live on ESPN+.
"I was so incredibly happy to see many of our players get the recognition they deserve," said head coach Julie Woodward. "I think it is a true testament to the entire team. While I do believe there are players essential to the success of this team this season that were overlooked, I am confident they are looking forward to showcasing themselves in the conference tournament. The strength of this team has been the team and selflessness all season long."
After helping lead the Redhawks to nine shutouts on the season and a goal differential of +9, Raffensperger was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in her career. The junior from Redmond also scored her first two colligate goals this season, scoring her first at Washington State before adding another in Texas vs Abilene Christian. She was also named First Team All-WAC for the first time. The defender was a part of the All-Freshman team in 2021 and was named Second Team last season.
"Kait has truly been one of the best in the conference, Woodward said of her team captain. "She is the only player to have played every minute of every game and is just a talented, competitive, great leader for this team."
Kirgan was named the Freshman of the Year after starting all 18 matches in goal for the Redhawks. She compiled nine clean sheets in her freshman campaign, making 59 saves in nearly 1500 minutes of action. She was also named to the conference's All-Freshman team.
The Redhawks also had three players named to the Second Team, with Jourdyn Curran, Kailee Wilson, and Caroline Penner all being honored. For Curran and Wilson, it was their first time being named to the Second Team, while Penner makes it back-to-back appearances. Wilson also doubled dipped on the season, being named to the All-Freshman team as well.
"Penner is really hitting her stride at the right time and is just an unbelievable goal scorer," Woodward added. "Jourdyn has been one of the unsung heroes of the team this year having to defend many of the best attackers in the conference."
Joining Kirgan and Wilson on the All-Freshman team was Katie Piburn. Along with her fellow freshman who were honored, Piburn also started all 18 matches in the 2023 regular season.
"Kirgan, Wilson and Piburn have been so solid since the moment they set foot on campus," Woodward said of her freshman class. "Having three freshmen get recognized shows what a bright future this program has."
The Redhawks will be back in action when they open the 2023 Western Athletic Conference tournament with a rematch with Southern Utah on Sunday, Oct. 29. Kickoff between the Redhawks and Thunderbirds will be at 7pm PT with the match being broadcast live on ESPN+.