ALISO VIEJO, CA- Five Lions were recognized by the California Pacific Conference for their performances during the 2023 season, with Cienna Irwin getting named Second Team All-Conference, Sabrina Benjamin and Mallorie Barteau earning Honorable Mention, Taylor Hampton and Alex Bershtein receiving Cal Pac All-Academic Team honors, and Bershtein also being named a Champion of Character. 

About the Awards:

Champion of Character
Each head coach determines the Champion of Character award. It recognizes the individual who best represents the NAIA's five core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant-Leadership.
 
All-Academic Team
The Cal Pac All-Academic Team recognizes just ten (10) individuals from the entire sport who have achieved excellence both on the pitch and in the classroom. The conference office selects the recipients based on the following criteria:

• Sophomore standing or above
• One full academic year of residence at the nominating institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50

All-Conference Teams
The All-Conference teams are nominated by each institution based on the team's final place finish. All 13 Cal Pac head coaches then vote on the nominees to determine awards winners.
 
Cienna Irwin: Started and played in all 16 matches for Soka. Irwin played central defense and holding midfield during the season and was a defensive force for the Lions. Her consistent play, comprised of simplicity, poise, and technical skill, helped lift the Lions to an overall record of 5-9-3 and 5-3-5 in Cal Pac Conference play. She scored two goals and assisted in three, for seven points on the year. "Cienna deserves conference recognition for her second year in a row. She has been pivotal in our growth and had consistent performances all season," said Head Coach Wendy Espejel.
 
Sabrina Benjamin: Started in 11 games and played in 16 matches for Soka, proving to be an attacking threat for the Lions in her debut season. Benjamin scored six goals and assisted in one for 13 points on the year. She displayed speed and technical skill down the wing, and her work off the ball was equally impressive. "Sabrina brought a new look to our attack this year. She has many great attributes: she is fast, has a hunger to score, and is a tenacious player. She had a huge impact her first year, and I am thrilled to see how she evolves in the next years," said Head Coach Wendy Espejel.

Mallorie Barteau: Started in 13 games and played in all 16 matches for the Soka. Barteau was a key attacker for the Lions on the wing, serving in dangerous crosses and beating players on the dribble. Her speed on and off the ball and her knack for taking shots and serving dangerous crosses were assets to the Lions' attacking efforts. Barteau scored one goal on the season for a total of two points. "Mallorie surprised us this year as an attacker and earned a spot higher up the field. She has a phenomenal work ethic, which really was a highlight of her game," said Head Coach Wendy Espejel.

Taylor Hampton: Started in six games and played in 14 matches. Hampton scored two goals and assisted in two for a combined six points. She was poised at central defense, reading the game and helping connect passes and maintain possession. Hampton is concentrating in Life Sciences and her stellar play on the field is echoed by her excellence in the classroom. "We strive to succeed both on the field and in the classroom- I am very proud of both Taylor (and Alex) for achieving such academic success while maintaining their commitment to the team and the rigorous schedule of being a student-athlete," said Head Coach Wendy Espejel.

Alex Bershtein: Started in 14 games and played in all 16 matches for the Lions in central midfield. She scored two goals and assisted in two for a combined six points on the season. Bershtein was consistent in the middle of the pitch, helping her team maintain possession and win tackles while slowing down the opposition's play. As one of three captains, she led her team with integrity and exhibited sportsmanship throughout the season. "Alex has been a great example of what it means to be a humble leader who leads by example. Her character and efforts this year do not go unnoticed. The awards she received are very fitting for Alex as she has been an outstanding captain and teammate as well as player and student all season," said Head Coach Wendy Espejel.

2023 ALL-CAL PAC CONFERENCE AWARD WINNERS

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Trinidad Quiroz (UC Merced)
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Vanessa Cruz (Saint Katherine)
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR:  Ellie Neal (Embry-Riddle)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR:  Vanessa Cruz (Saint Katherine)
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR:  Jamie Brandon (Embry-Riddle)
COACH OF THE YEAR:  Katie Ritchie (Saint Katherine)
 
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
First Team

Player	School	Year	Pos	Hometown
Isabella Coronado	Saint Katherine	SR	MF	San Diego, Calif.
Vanessa Cruz	Saint Katherine	SO	F	Oceanside, Calif.
Katy Flores	UC Merced	SO	MF	Ladera Ranch, Calif.
Ellie Neal	Embry-Riddle	SR	D	Gilbert, Ariz.
Trinidad Quiroz	UC Merced	JR	F	San Jose, Calif.
Annabelle Ruckle	Embry-Riddle	JR	GK	Phoenix, Ariz.
Kaamna Shankar	Saint Katherine	JR	F	Pleasanton, Calif.
Christine Thorvaldsen	Westcliff	SR	D	Oslo, Norway
Yesenia Tijerina	UC Merced	SR	D	Salinas, Calif.
Charlize Wolfe	Saint Katherine	SR	D	Vista, Calif.
Rae Yoshioka	Embry-Riddle	JR	MF	Pearl City, Hawaii

 
Second Team

Player	School	Year	Pos	Hometown
Dahlia Alonso	Benedictine Mesa	SR	F	San Diego, Calf.
Izabella Baez	Simpson	JR	D	Porterville, Calif.
Jamie Black	Embry-Riddle	SO	F	Tucson, Ariz.
Catherine Corlett	Park-Gilbert	JR	GK	Gilbert, Ariz.
Morgan Durazo	Simpson	JR	MF	Fresno, Calif.
Cienna Irwin	Soka	JR	D	Corona, Calif.
Aubrie Labno	Embry-Riddle	JR	D	Anthem, Ariz.
Denise Martinez	Simpson	JR	MF	Kingsburg, Calif.
Neshma Rodriguez	Benedictine Mesa	SO	MF	Apache Junction, Ariz.
Maya Shearon	Benedictine Mesa	SR	D	Flagstaff, Ariz.
Chloe Tague	Simpson	JR	F	Huntington Beach, Calif.
Judy Vallier	Pacific Union	JR	D	Sacramento, Calif.

           
Honorable Mention
Benedictine-Mesa:  Jaden Campbell, Brylee Rod. Embry-Riddle:  Jamie Brandon, Haley Harris, Aryana Sanchez.  La Sierra:  Iris Navarro.  Pacific Union:  Mia Del Muro.  Park-Gilbert:  Emma Alvarez, Alicia Ypina, Allison Meisel.  Providence Christian:  Faith Huston, Isabella Pecunes.  Saint Katherine:  Stephanie Zamora.  Simpson:  Kiah Gridley, Paola Montoya.  Soka:  Sabrina Benjamin, Mallori Barteau.  UC Merced:  Jadyn Gong, Jennavieve Ordonez, Baleigh Zamudio, Preeya Singh.  Westcliff:  Isabella Saavedra, Jaida Wilson.

The Cal Pac Fall 2023 All-Academic Teams- Women's Soccer
 

Name	School	Class	Major	Hometown
Kayla Walshire	BENU	SR	Health Science	Phoenix, Ariz.
Haley Matthews	ERAU	SR	Mechanical Engineering	Phoenix, Ariz.
Maren Rice	ERAU	SR	Global Security & Intel.	Goodyear, Ariz.
Ellie Neal	ERAU	SR	Aeronautical Science	Gilbert, Ariz.
Catherine Corlett	PARK	SR	Sport & Exercise Science	Gilbert, Ariz.
Alex Bershtein	SOKA	SR	Social & Behavioral Science	Pasadena, Calif.
Taylor Hampton	SOKA	JR	Life Sciences	Las Vegas, Nev.
Bella Spiva	UCM	SR	Public Health	Merced, Calif.
Charlize Wolf	USK	GR	MA Org. Leadership	Vista, Calif.
Christine Thorvaldsen	WU	SR	Business Administration	Oslo, Norway
Alberte Angersbach	WU	SR	Business Administration	Albertslund, Denmark

 
The Cal Pac Fall 2023 NAIA Champions of Character- Women's Soccer
 
ANTELOPE VALLEY
Samantha Sandoval
 
BENEDICTINE MESA
Dulce Yebra
 
EMBRY-RIDDLE
Maren Rice
 
LA SIERRA
Hannah Masterson
 
PACIFIC UNION
Leylah Echeverria
 
PARK-GILBERT
Emma Alvarez
 
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN
Faith Huston
 
SAINT KATHERINE
Marissa Brees
 
SIMPSON
Kylie Hokanson
 
SOKA
Alex Bershtein
 
UC MERCED
Carly Kissinger
 
WESTCLIFF
Jordan Moreno