PORTLAND, Ore. – Receiving recognition for its academic achievement during the 2022 fall season, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer team had 15 players selected to the academic all-Great Northwest Athletic Conference list announced by the conference office on Wednesday.
 
The 15 players selected were tied for the second most in the conference and the number was one off the program record of 16 selections established during the 2021 season. "I am extremely proud of our student athletes for their commitment to excellence in the classroom," said MSUB head coach Stephen Cavallo. "It is never easy with their intensive soccer and travel schedule but they make no excuses when it comes to their school work. They represent our program's values so well and I am grateful for all the work they put in on and off the field."
 
To be eligible for the award, players must hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and be in at least their second season of competition with the team. MSUB's list featured six repeat selections and nine first-time selections.
 
Senior Kiley Sandow was MSUB's lone third-year selection to the academic team, as she works on completing her degree in health and human performance with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She was among just four players in the entire conference to hold a perfect GPA, and was the only senior in the league to do so. A fixture on MSUB's back line, Sandow has started all 13 games and has scored one goal while ranking third on the team with 880 minutes played.
 
Senior defenders Sydney Wate and Cassie Southwick, and junior goalkeeper Clare Keenan were MSUB's other upperclassmen to receive the award for the second straight season. After overcoming injury, Wate has started seven matches on the back line and has totaled 547 minutes played. She carries a 3.93 GPA while studying health and human performance.
 
Southwick is a human services major, and holds a 3.81 GPA. She has seen minutes in 12 matches with one start, and has provided one assist on the season. Keenan leads the GNAC in saves with 70, while starting 11 matches in goal this season. She is an environmental studies major with a 3.98 GPA.
 
Sophomores Taylor Gertsch and Emelie Moberg were the other Yellowjackets to earn the award for the second year in-a-row. Gertsch has started all 13 matches in the midfield, and leads the team with 1,051 minute played while ranking second with 16 shots. She is a human services major with a 3.61 GPA. Moberg is completing her degree in human services as well, and holds a 3.98 GPA.
 
Among MSUB's first-time selections to the list were three upperclassmen, in senior Sydney Torres and juniors Abby Sena and Tuva Sallvin. Torres has started 11 of 13 matches and has contributed with one goal this season. She holds a 3.41 GPA while completing her degree in health and human performance. Sena has started 12 of 13 matches in the midfield and has logged 913 minutes for an average of 70.2 minutes per game. Sena is a biology major with a 3.40 GPA. Sallvin has seen minutes in three matches including two starts in goal this season, and has totaled 23 saves. She is a marketing major who carries a 3.65 GPA.
 
MSUB also featured six sophomores who received the honor for the first time in their careers. Jackie Sharpe is a political science major with a 3.64 GPA, and has led the team offensively with two goals and one assist while starting all 13 games at forward. Maddie Smith is another forward to receive the award, having seen minutes in nine games this season. She holds a 3.71 GPA while working towards her degree in elementary education.
 
Liberty Palmer was another first-time selection, maintaining a 3.81 GPA while pursuing her business degree. Palmer saw time in five matches with two starts this fall. Midfielders Leila Clark and Kendall McGraw also earned the honor, with Clark holding a 3.28 GPA in elementary education and McGraw holding a 3.47 GPA in business. Clark has played in all 13 matches with four starts, while McGraw has started 12 of 13 games in the midfield this season.
 
Vendela Andersson also claimed academic honors, carrying a 3.22 GPA while studying criminal justice. After an early season injury, Andersson has rallied to start five matches and play in 10 on the defensive unit for MSUB.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-9-3, 1-6-1 GNAC) are at home this weekend playing host to Simon Fraser University on Thursday at noon and No. 7 Western Washington University on Saturday at noon. Both matches will be played at Yellowjacket Field, with live coverage available online here.