Celebrating the Heart Women's Soccer Players of the Week

This season, WinWon had the honor of presenting both the Soccer Players of the Week for the Heart of America Conference and the Heart Conference Tournament Championship. This season, several teams across the Heart found national recognition on both a team and individual level. Multiple teams ended up competing in the 2023 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship.

We would like to congratulate each athlete across the conference on their respective seasons and acknowledge each of the Players of the Week again for their awards. See below for the complete list of recognized athletes.

Season Highlights

The Central Methodist Eagles achieved a perfect 11-0 regular season record, capturing the first seed for the Heart Conference Tournament Championship. The Eagles and the Missouri Valley Vikings both continued through conference play and met in the final. In a thrilling 3-2 victory, the Vikings won their first-ever Heart Women's Soccer Conference Tournament Championship.

Following conference championship play, Benedictine, Central Methodist, and Missouri Valley advanced to the Women's Soccer National Championship tournament, where each team celebrated a victory. The Vikings lost in the second round to Hastings, while Benedictine fell to Tennessee Southern in the Round of 16. Tennessee Southern met the Central Methodist Eagles in the quarterfinals, eliminating the last team from the Heart in the tournament.

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The Heart of America Players of the Week for the 2023 Season are as follows: 

Visit the WinWon instagram to see a full video celebrating each of these athletes.

Offensive Players of the Week:

• Shannon Catchur, F (Aug. 28)
• Taylor Witthauer, F (Sep. 4)
• Rachel Beffa, MF (Sep. 11)
• Kirsten Wetterstrom, F (Sep. 18, Oct. 2, Oct. 30)
• Kirstine Lykke, F (Sep. 25)
• Mariana Barreto, F (Oct. 9, Oct. 23)
• Ashley Arribas, F (Oct. 16)
• Lola Benitez, GK (Nov. 6)
• Christine Znidarsic, MF (Nov. 6)

Defensive Players of the Week:

• Sophia Holloway, GK (Aug. 28)
• Marcelle Thedinga, GK (Sep. 4)
• Alicia Zamora, D (Sep. 11, Sep. 25)
• Hope Ward, D (Sep. 18)
• Mackenzie Korzenecki, GK (Oct. 2)
• Marta Carrasco Mesa, D (Oct. 9)
• Maddi Morales, D (Oct. 16)
• Candela Blanco Esteban, GK (Oct. 23)
• Cali Scheschinger, D (Oct. 30)

National Recognition for Heart Players, 2023 NAIA Women's Soccer All-America Teams:

• Alicia Zamora (CMU) was selected for for First Team.
• Ashley Arribas (MV) and Kirstine Lykke (CMU) were selected for Third Team.