Official NWC Release 

HILLSBORO, Ore. - The four-time Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University women's soccer team monopolized the conference's postseason awards on Tuesday, winning all four major awards while eight Lute student-athletes earned All-NWC accolades.
 
Brianna Hunting was named NWC Defensive Player of the Year, Meghan Michels claimed NWC Freshman of the Year and NWC Offensive Player of the Year while Seth Spidahl captured NWC Coach of the Year accolades.
 
Hunting and Michels were honored as First Team All-NWC selections along with teammates Cassidy Crosswhite, Alyssa Carter, Leah Magee, and Tasha Tennyson. Ellie Johnson landed Second Team All-Conference while Kelly Brown was an Honorable Mention pick.
 
Hunting earns NWC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-NWC honors after anchoring a stout defense that posted 15 shutouts on the season, allowing just four goals in the 16-game league slate. The Kennewick, Washington native earns a spot on the NWC First Team for the second consecutive season and becomes the third Lute in the past six years to win NWC Defensive Player of the Year with goalkeeper Takara Mitsui '17 capturing the award in both 2014 and 2016.
 
Michels earned a trio of awards after a stellar debut season for the Lutes, earning NWC Offensive Player of the Year, NWC Freshman of the Year, and First Team All-NWC laurels. Michels becomes the first player in league history to win Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in the same season. The forward and Medford, Oregon native led the conference in both goals (11) and points (27) while finishing the regular season with five assists and three game winning goals. PLU has now won the last four NWC Offensive Player of the Year Awards with Liz Griffith landing the accolade last season while Machaela Graddy claimed the honor in 2017 and 2016.
 
Seth Spidahl was named NWC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in six years after piloting the Lutes (16-2-2, 14-1-1 NWC) to their fourth consecutive league crown. PLU's dominance under Spidahl including outscoring the league 33-4 this season, while wrapping up the league title with three games remaining in the conference slate. Spidahl previous earned the award in 2017, 2016, and 2014.
 
Cassidy Crosswhite earns First Team honors for the first time in her career as a goalkeeper. The Spokane, Washington native allowed just four goals in 12 starts this season, making 25 saves and boasting a 0.32 goals against average. 
 
Alyssa Carter lands First Team accolades for the first time in her career. The Bremerton, Washington native was a part of the Lute defense that accrued 15 shutouts and yielded just six goals all season, including only four in conference play.
 
Leah Magee secures First Team All-NWC laurels for the second consecutive season. The midfielder and Olympia, Washington native ranked third in the league in both goals (eight) and points (20) while leading the Lutes in game-winning goals with four on the year.
 
Tasha Tennyson makes her All-Conference debut as a First Team selection. The forward from Seattle tallied four goals and one assist on the year, including a pair of game-winners.
 
Ellie Johnson lands Second Team All-NWC after earning Honorable Mention recognition the previous year. A forward from La Center, Washington, Johnson scored four goals on the season, including two game-winners.
 
Kelly Brown is the eighth Lute to be recognized as All-Conference, landing Honorable Mention status. A midfielder from Kennewick, Washington, Brown started all 20 games this season, helping the Lutes allow just four goals and post 15 shutouts this fall. 
 
The Lutes begin postseason play on Saturday, facing Trinity University in the opening round of the 2019 NCAA Division III Tournament. Kickoff in Abilene, Texas is slated for 11 a.m. (Pacific).