MSUB SPORTS – The Yellowjacket all-decade midfield unit features a diverse cast of players, who were adaptable and had the ability to slot in at multiple positions throughout their careers.
 
Each of the all-decade team midfielders was a four-year star for their respective teams, representing some of the top captains and facilitators of play in the center of the pitch.
 
This Week's Schedule

Day	Release
Monday, September 7, 2020	Women's Soccer - Forwards
Tuesday, September 8, 2020	Women's Soccer - Midfielders
Wednesday, September 9, 2020	Women's Soccer - Defenders
Thursday, September 10, 2020	Women's Soccer - Goalkeepers
Friday, September 11, 2020	Women's Soccer - Full Team

 

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  Katlyn Lokay
Position: Center Attacking Midfielder
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)

Feature Story: Katlyn Lokay Among MSUB's Best As 4-Year Starter For 'Jackets
 
One of the steadiest players to come through the Yellowjacket program, Lokay started all 70 matches that she played in over her four years which is tied for 10th most in school history. Lokay totaled 6,418 minutes played, the second-highest total in program history behind only Jennifer Larsen. Playing primarily as a central midfielder, Lokay contributed seven goals – including two game-winners – and three assists in her career.
 
Helping establish a culture of winning success, Lokay led her teams to the conference tournament in three of four seasons, and was a three-time team captain. She was a two-time all-conference selection, including being recognized on the first team as a senior in 2015.
 
One of Lokay's top moments came on Nov. 1, 2014 during her junior year, with MSUB trailing a road match at Northwest Nazarene 2-1 with just seven minutes left on the clock. Lokay tucked home an equalizing goal in the 84th minute, before scoring the game-winner in the 105th minute to give the 'Jackets an improbable come-from-behind double-overtime victory.


 
Lokay on her career: "I think I'm most proud of the fact that we made it to the tournament three of the four years I was there. We were strong competitors in a highly competitive league, and we fought for every victory we had."
 
Wojtek Krakowiak (Lokay's Head Coach 2012-2015): "Katlyn was an incredible person who always put others before herself. Katlyn was an extraordinary human being with a tireless work ethic. She was extremely intelligent and creative on the field, and had the ability to change the outcome of the game on her own. The most competitive and passionate person I ever coached."

Stephen Cavallo (Lokay's Assistant Coach 2014-2015): "One of the most athletic and versatile players of the decade. She filled in numerous roles throughout her career here, and stepped up in any position that the team needed. Katlyn was a lead-by-example captain, and she left a great mark on all of her teammates."
 
Where is she now? Now Katlyn Loptien, she resides in Highlands Ranch, Colorado where she is a dispatcher for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
 

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Chelsea Shuman
Position: Right Midfielder
Hometown: Kalispell, Montana
Playing Years: 2011-2014 (4 seasons)

Feature Story: Shuman Stands Tall As Inspiration For Yellowjackets
 
A homegrown talent, Shuman was another multi-year captain for the 'Jackets who was crucial to the team's midfield unit as a three-year starter. Shuman totaled nine goals and eight assists for 26 points in her well-balanced career, and MSUB's teams went a combined 41-21-9 (.641) in her four seasons on the pitch.
 
Arriving on the scene early in her sophomore season in 2012, Shuman earned the start in the team's season-opener against No. 5 Colorado School of Mines. In the 63rd minute, Shuman found the back of the net with what proved to be the game-winner in a 1-0 clean sheet against the nationally-ranked foe. MSUB went on to tie its best record of the decade that year at 13-6-1, and win its only GNAC tournament game with a 1-0 triumph over Seattle Pacific on Nov. 1, 2012.
 
Shuman was a three-time all-conference selection, two-time GNAC Player of the Week, and an academic all-conference pick as well. Shuman's senior season in 2014, when she earned second-team all-GNAC, was her most productive as she contributed four goals and a pair of assists while captaining the Yellowjackets to a second-place finish and a conference tournament appearance.


 
Shuman's favorite memory: "My favorite memory at MSUB was beating Seattle Pacific in the semifinal of the 2012 GNAC Championship. They were one of our biggest rivals, and we had previously split with them during the season. Beating them in the semifinals was a great feeling."
 
Wojtek Krakowiak (Shuman's Head Coach 2011-2014): "Chelsea was extremely crafty, competitive, and feisty with a winning attitude. Chelsea was a strong, outspoken, determined leader who had the will to win and was able to motivate others by her actions and leadership."

Stephen Cavallo (Shuman's Assistant Coach, 2014): "Very competitive, skilled attacking player. Chelsea was a good leader within the team, and left a good example for the other captains. She played in lots of different positions and was just a gamer. She loves the game and shared that passion with her teammates."
 
Where is she now? Now Chelsea Miron, she is a credit analyst at US Bank in Billings.
 

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Dana Lubieniecki
Position: Left Midfielder
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Playing Years: 2013-2016 (4 seasons)

Feature Story: Lubieniecki Leaves It All On The Field, In The Classroom In 4-Year Career With 'Jackets
 
Another four-year starter for the Yellowjackets, Lubieniecki was a fixture in the midfield unit playing in 67 matches throughout her career. Like Lokay and Shuman, Lubieniecki was a model of consistency with her technical play, and also contributed significantly offensively with eight goals and six assists for 22 points.
 
She was a two-time all-conference selection, earning second-team honors as a senior in 2016. One of the top students at MSUB, Lubieniecki was a three-time academic all-GNAC pick and she earned academic all-district honors during her junior season.
 
Lubieniecki helped MSUB reach the GNAC tournament twice in her career, and in 2014 scored perhaps her most important goal with a late-season game-winner against Western Oregon on Oct. 25 to help the team secure its second-place finish in the standings.
 
Wojtek Krakowiak (Lubieniecki's Head Coach 2013-2016): "Dana's genuine kindness and courage made her a true leader, mentor, and role model. She was a perfectionist with impressive attacking attributes, combined with a tireless work ethic. Dana possessed a very high soccer IQ that allowed her to be a threat during the attacking buildups."

Stephen Cavallo (Lubieniecki's Assistant Coach 2014-2016): "One of the most humble, hard-working players I have ever coached. She would step up whenever needed, and was a servant leader within the team. Dana was a great senior captain for a really strong 2016 class."


 

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Alexa Iacolucci
Position: Holding Midfielder
Hometown: Lake Forest Park, Washington
Playing Years: 2016-2019 (4 seasons)
 
A multi-year all-conference selection, Iacolucci was a consistent starter at the defensive midfield position in each of her four seasons as a Yellowjacket. She was the most prolific scorer among the all-decade starting midfielders, with 11 goals and nine assists for 31 points.
 
Iacolucci's biggest weapon was her powerful left foot, as she gained a reputation for scoring lengthy goals and providing stellar service on set pieces and corner kicks. Her five-goal campaign as a sophomore in 2017 earned her the MSUB Women's Soccer Player of the Year honor, and she finished her career with a personal-best 13 points as a senior in 2019 to earn all-GNAC a second time.
 
Iacolucci scored on Senior Day to help MSUB beat Central Washington 2-1 in her final match at Yellowjacket Field, and then provided the game-winning goal and a pair of assists in her last match the following week at Saint Martin's. In addition to her on-field success, Iacolucci was a three-time academic all-GNAC athlete as well.


 
Iacolucci on her MSUB teams: "When I think back to my four years at MSUB, I don't remember the games or seasons themselves. I remember the team, and the individuals that make up the team. I remember the hot cocoa movie nights, the embarrassing dance parties, the team bonding, the sunsets on the rims, but most importantly I remember the people I shared all of those amazing memories with. I will cherish every moment I had with all the amazing women who were part of the soccer program at MSUB. Those authentic friendships are ones I know will last a lifetime."
 
Stephen Cavallo (Iacolucci's Assistant Coach 2016; Head Coach 2017-2019): "One of the most skilled players; she was a player who other teams feared because of her left foot. For a holding midfielder to step into the center back role a lot, and for her to score the amount of goals she did showcases her left foot specialist ability. It was awesome to see her take on the role of captain her senior year, and she left an incredible mark on the program."
 
Where is she now? Iacolucci is an analyst for Northwest Planning Services, and resides in her home town of Lake Forest Park, Washington.
 

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Kristen Kastelic
Position: Center Midfielder
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Playing Years: 2009-2012 (4 seasons)
 
Kastelic started in each of her four seasons for the Yellowjackets, and was a cog on a pair of playoff teams including the 2010 regional squad as a sophomore. Kastelic had nine starts that season, including starting and playing every minute of the final six games during the NCAA playoff push.
 
Across her four years, MSUB went a combined 46-25-7 (.635) and she started 44 games in-a-row over her final three years. Kastelic contributed three goals during her junior campaign in 2011, and she was a two-time honorable mention all-conference performer. A standout in the classroom as well, Kastelic twice earned GNAC FAR Scholar Athlete status and was a three-time academic all-GNAC selection.
 
MSUB benefitted from seven total years of a Kastelic presence in the lineup, as Kristen's sister Kari was a three-year starter for MSUB's back line from 2014-2016 as well.


 
Kastelic reflecting on her MSUB teams: "During my four years at MSUB I felt we had one of the hardest working and talented teams out there. We had very high standards for each other as a team. We took fitness standards seriously, trained with high intensity, and always pushed each other to be better. I feel lucky to have been part of a strong class where six out of nine incoming freshmen stuck together all four years. It was nice to have that support system within ourselves and it was fun to make memories and grow together through the years. In our underclassman seasons, we also had the opportunity to look up to a solid class of leaders that set the standards and expectations for our team alongside our coaching staff. I think the mentorship and strong presence of leadership and high standards in our early years helped our achievements. Teams will inevitably change over the years (as new classes/transfers join and people leave and graduate); having classes that stick together through the years helps the consistency, team culture, and overall team chemistry playing together."
 
Don Trentham (Kastelic's Head Coach 2009-2010): "One of the toughest players I coached during my time at MSUB. Kristen was the nicest kid off the field, but when she got on the field she had a switch. She was that player who teams hated to play against, and she was great at breaking up play in the midfield and being a defensive presence in there. She didn't get as much attention as some of the other players, but I'm really happy to see her get on the all-decade team because it is well-deserved. You could count on her every time, and she was just a winner."
 
Wojtek Krakowiak (Kastelic's Assistant Coach 2010; Head Coach 2011-2012): "Kristen brought so much to the program. I had the pleasure to coach three fabulous years with Kristen, and I truly enjoyed every minute of it. Kristen brought the competitive edge, the family atmosphere, the leadership, the work ethic, and perseverance to the program. She was a true leader by example. I couldn't be more proud of her recognition on the all-decade team. It's an honor she truly deserves."

Stephen Cavallo on Kastelic: "Kristen is someone who gave it all for the program, and who stepped up in an assistant coaching role in a time of need. She had a big impact on her sister coming here and being part of the team for three years. She was a captain, a solid leader, and a really kind individual."
 
Where is she now? Kastelic resides in Las Vegas, where she is an assistant brand manager at Duraflame.
 

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Claire Tevaseu
Position: Central Midfielder
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Playing Years: 2016-2019 (4 seasons)
 
Tevaseu was an integral part of MSUB's midfield unit late in the decade, starting 59 matches over her four years from 2016-2019. Along the way she contributed a pair of goals and five assists, and was an all-conference selection during her junior season when she led the team with eight points.
 
Tevaseu helped lead the team with her technical ability and savvy on-ball play in the midfield unit, and she was a primary set-piece and corner kick taker as well. Academically, Tevaseu was a three-time all-GNAC selection.
 
Tevaseu on her time as a 'Jacket: "I am proud of how far the team has come over the four years I was part of it. The core group of girls has stuck it out and made the most of this experience. To end on a positive note, the senior class saved the best season for last, and our record improved tremendously from the previous seasons."
 
Stephen Cavallo (Tevaseu's Assistant Coach 2016; Head Coach 2017-2019): "One of the most creative, crafty, and technical players of the decade. She brought a lot to the team in terms of attack and defense. Claire always seemed to know what passes to make, and she really was a calming presence within the team."
 
Where is she now? Tevaseu lives in Seattle, where she serves a dual role as a marketing and creative intern at Chapter IV Consulting, and as a marketing associate at Yellowstone Public Radio.


 

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Kari Foreman
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Playing Years: 2007-2010
 
One of the best players in program history, Foreman is No. 7 in the record books with 56 points over her four-year career. Her 23 goals are seventh most, and she is tied with Kastelic for the second-most games played in her career with 78.
 
Almost certain to be a starter on the 2000-2009 all-decade team, MSUB benefitted greatly from having her career touch the 2010s decade as she capped it off with the regional run as a senior. Foreman started all 20 matches in 2010, scoring five goals – including three game-winners – and adding four assists.
 

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Carly Valentine
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Playing Years: 2007-2010
 
Inducted into the MSUB Hall of Fame in 2018, Valentine is another name that is scattered throughout the women's soccer record book. Her 79 games played and 78 starts are both school records, as she played an integral role on each of MSUB's teams throughout her four-year career.
 
During her only season in the decade, Valentine scored three goals and added an assist while starting all 20 matches and helping lead the team to the NCAA regional tournament. Now Carly Andre, she is married to men's soccer all-decade team member Chris Andre.


 

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About the MSUB All-Decade Team Project
The top student-athletes from each of Montana State University Billings' current varsity athletic teams from 2010-2019 have been selected, and 14 all-decade teams will be revealed throughout the course of the fall of 2020. Each sport's all-decade team is comprised of the top-performing student-athletes, with weight given to individual athletic achievement and accolades, team achievement, academic achievement, as well as community service. For more information on MSUB's all-decade project, and to view each sport's all-decade teams, view the all-decade project webpage online here.