OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The record-breaking soccer season continued weeks after the season ended, as an unprecedented six Blue Angels graced All-Association of Division III Independents teams, as announced by the AD3I Thursday. Also for the first time in school history, Mount Mary boasted the Association's Offensive Player of the Year.

Sophomore forward Emily Ristow (Sheboygan, Wis.) torched the scoring record books this season with 33 goals scored and eight assists for an impressive 74 points scored through the team's 15-game schedule. Those statistics – both season-highs and career-highs among current and former Blue Angel soccer players – made Ristow a unanimous Offensive Player of the Year selection from the AD3I.

Also gracing the First Team was junior forward Rasika Perera (Oak Creek, Wis.), junior midfielder Allison Appmann (Racine, Wis.) and junior defender Nina Her (Brown Deer, Wis.). Junior defender Ashley Leverenz and senior goalkeeper Kirby McMahon garnered Second Team honors, rounding out a Blue Angel-heavy pair of All-AD3I squads.

Perera finished second on the team in scoring with 17 goals scored and 10 assists recorded on the season—also ranking second in school history. Appmann was tops among Association midfielders with three goals and seven assists recorded, while Her's pair of goals and stellar sweeping defense also earned top team honors. Leverenz's leadership as team captain while anchoring the defensive end of the field and McMahon's improved presence in goal also earned them their first ever post season accolades.

Mount Mary head coach Joe Shokatz also took home unanimous Coach of the Year honors after recording the program's first-ever winning season. In 2011, the Blue Angels struggled to an 0-11 finish while this year's 8-7 mark was the Association's best turnaround.

St. Joseph's College teammates Nicole Farinella and Pamela Chernyakhovsky rounded out the special awards, taking home Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year honors respectively.


All-Association of Division III Independents Soccer Teams

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Emily Ristow, So., Mount Mary College

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nicole Farinella, Jr., St. Joseph's College

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Pamela Chernyakhovsky, Fr., St. Joseph's College

COACH OF THE YEAR: Joe Shokatz, Mount Mary College

FIRST TEAM
F – Rasika Perera, Jr., Mount Mary College
F – Emily Ristow, So., Mount Mary College
F – Ashlee Slade, Fr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
M – Allison Appmann, Jr., Mount Mary College
M – Chelsea Beauchmin, Sr., University of Maine-Presque Isle
M – Pamela Chernyakhovsky, Fr., St. Joseph's College
M – Bayleigh Collins, Fr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
M – Makensie Thaller, So., Nebraska Wesleyan University
D – Nina Her, Jr., Mount Mary College
D – Shannon Rom, So., St. Joseph's College
D – Leah Stevens, Sr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
GK – Nicole Farinella, Jr., St. Joseph's College

SECOND TEAM
F – Cynthia Gambino, Jr., St. Joseph's College
F – Amber Johnson, Fr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
F – Daniella Valencia, Fr., St. Joseph's College
M – Hillary Guynn, Jr., Finlandia University
M – Jenna Herse, Fr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
M – Haley Neri, So., Finlandia University
D – Jessica Ingold, Sr., Finlandia University
D – Ashley Leverenz, Jr., Mount Mary College
D – Lauren Ziegenbein, Fr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
GK – Emily Dierks, Sr., Nebraska Wesleyan University
GK – Kirby McMahon, Sr., Mount Mary College

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 10 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association also recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition it will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at www.d3independents.org.