ULM Soccer Stars Shine in LWSA All-Louisiana Honors

ByCoach

In a remarkable achievement for the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) women’s soccer team, three standout players have earned prestigious spots on the 2024 All-Louisiana College Women’s Soccer Team. This recognition, awarded by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association (LWSA), highlights the exceptional talent and hard work of these athletes over the past season.

Freshman goalkeeper Jennifer Handy, senior midfielder Mara Grutkamp, and senior forward Skylar Blaise have all been honored for their outstanding performances, bringing pride to ULM and setting a high standard for future teams.

Jennifer Handy: Freshman Sensation

Jennifer Handy has had a stellar freshman year, earning the title of LWSA All-Louisiana Freshman of the Year. Her remarkable performance between the posts has not only garnered her this prestigious award but also an honorable mention on the All-Louisiana team.

Handy’s season was highlighted by:

  • Seven shutouts, tying the top spot in ULM program history
  • Fifth in goals-against average (1.34) as a true freshman
  • First in the Sun Belt for shutouts by the season’s end

This is Handy’s first postseason award and marks a significant milestone for ULM Soccer, as she is the program’s first recipient of the All-Louisiana Freshman of the Year title.

Season Highlights

Handy’s performance has been nothing short of spectacular. She has shown incredible composure and skill for a freshman, managing to secure seven shutouts, which not only ties the program’s record but also places her at the top of the Sun Belt for shutouts.

Her goals-against average of 1.34 is equally impressive, ranking her fifth in the program’s history. These accomplishments underscore her potential and promise for the future.

Mara Grutkamp: The Record-Breaking Senior

Senior midfielder Mara Grutkamp has been named to the All-Louisiana First Team after a record-breaking season. Grutkamp’s contributions to the team have been invaluable, and her accolades include:

  • Four goals and six assists throughout the season
  • Nationally-ranked shot accuracy of .638
  • All-Sun Belt First Team selection

This is the fourth time Grutkamp has been recognized on an All-Louisiana team, having been named honorable mention for the past three seasons. Her consistency and excellence have made her a standout player and a key figure in ULM Soccer history.

Breaking Records

Grutkamp’s senior season has been nothing short of historic. She tied the all-time points and assist records at ULM, with 56 points and 24 assists, respectively.

Additionally, she is on the leaderboard in eight other categories, including career goals, shots, shots on goal, game-winning goals, and starts. Her ability to consistently perform at a high level has cemented her legacy at ULM.

Skylar Blaise: The Consistent Performer

Senior forward Skylar Blaise earned an honorable mention on the All-Louisiana team for her outstanding contributions during her second season at ULM. Blaise led the team with:

  • 17 points and seven goals
  • Brace against James Madison on October 4
  • Second in the Sun Belt for shot accuracy (.568)

Blaise’s performance has been pivotal in ULM’s success this season, and her recognition is well-deserved.

Key Contributions

Blaise has been a reliable and consistent performer for ULM. Her ability to find the back of the net and create scoring opportunities has been crucial for the team.

Her seven goals and 17 points led the team, and her shot accuracy of .568, with 25 shots on target out of 44, placed her second in the Sun Belt. These statistics highlight her efficiency and effectiveness as a forward.

Team Selection and Voting Process

The All-Louisiana College Women’s Soccer Team is chosen by a group of voters from state media relations and communications offices, as well as selected media.

The selection process is based on nominations made by each university, and school media relations voters are not allowed to vote for players from their own schools. This ensures a fair and unbiased selection process, recognizing the most deserving players from across the state.

2024 LWSA All-Louisiana College Women’s Soccer Teams

The 2024 All-Louisiana College Women’s Soccer Teams feature some of the best talent in the state. The First Team includes standout players like Luci Schroeder from Xavier, who was named Player of the Year, and Sydney Cheesman from LSU, who tied for Newcomer of the Year.

The Honorable Mention list also features several talented players, including ULM’s own Skylar Blaise and Jennifer Handy.

For a detailed list of the 2024 LWSA All-Louisiana College Women’s Soccer Teams, you can visit the official announcement.

Conclusion

The recognition of Jennifer Handy, Mara Grutkamp, and Skylar Blaise on the 2024 All-Louisiana College Women’s Soccer Team is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent.

Their achievements have brought pride to ULM and set a high standard for future players. As these athletes continue to excel, they serve as an inspiration to their teammates and future generations of soccer players at ULM.

For more information on the ULM women’s soccer team and their achievements, be sure to check out the full article.

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