Cleland, Doty, and Haysman Boaler are Chosen Honorable Mention All-NWC

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Three Willamette University women's soccer players have been named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference for the 2023 season in voting by the NWC head coaches. Willamette's All-NWC selections were Sophie Cleland (Sr., F, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS), Reagan Doty (Jr., M, Riverton, UT/Riverton HS/Yakima Valley College), and Jaime Haysman Boaler (So., D, Stanford, CA/Notre Dame HS).

The 2023 All-NWC Women's Soccer Team recognized 45 players for their success on the field. A total of 12 players were selected for the First Team, with 12 players on the Second Team and 21 players earning Honorable Mention.

Hannah Cecil, a junior forward for the Pacific Lutheran University, was named NWC Offensive Player of the Year. PLU senior Ella Merte was selected NWC Defensive Player of the Year for the third year in a row. Kiki Glorioso, a defender from Whitman College, was chosen NWC Rookie of the Year. Pacific Lutheran Head Coach Seth Spidahl was voted NWC Coach of the Year.

Willamette finished the 2023 season with a 2-13-5 overall record, including 2-10-4 in the NWC. The Bearcats had numerous injuries, but as the team moved closer to a full roster, Willamette was very competitive. The Bearcats were 2-5-3 in the final 10 games, including three one-goal losses. WU scored 22 goals in 20 games, including 20 goals in the team's 16 NWC games.

"I am proud of this team's grit and determination and extremely proud to have these three players recognized for their hard work and impressive performance this season," Willamette Head Women's Soccer Coach Lisa Ljubicic said.

Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference

Sophie Cleland (Sr., F) led Willamette with five goals and was also the overall scoring leader as she added one assist for 11 total points. She was 3 for 3 on penalty kicks. She played in 18 games with 17 starts. Cleland was named NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week on Oct. 16.

In her career, Cleland played in 63 games with 36 starts. She earned career totals of seven goals, two assists, and 16 total points. She recorded 19 shots, including 11 shots on goal.

"Sophie was our top goal scorer and leader in points," Ljubicic noted. "She was a great leader for our team and was consistent in her play throughout the season. She proved that she is among the top attacking players in our league, not only by scoring great goals, but by having a commanding, confident presence on the field"

Reagan Doty (Jr., M) competed in 16 games and made 15 starts this season. She provided strong play on both offense and defense, especially in battling for the ball and keeping possession. She also supplied the Bearcats with one assist. Doty was in her first season with the Bearcats after transferring from Yakima Valley College.

"Reagan's impact was felt in every match," Ljubicic commented. "She is a dominant ball winner and a tough defender in the midfield. She is also a very competitive player, who established her presence in every match."

Jaime Haysman Boaler (Jr., D) contributed solid defensive play throughout the season, while competing in 15 games -- all starts for the Bearcats. She also moved forward into the attack and earned four assists on offense.

During Haysman Boaler's career at WU, she has seen action in 45 games. She made 37 starts.

"Jaime is one of the most complete players on our team," Ljubicic said. "She was able to make strong contributions in all the matches she played. It is often difficult to be recognized as a defender, but her ability to be impactful on both sides of the ball really set her apart from other players. Even through injury, she was outstanding this season."