Four Flashes Named to NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Teams
11/30/2016 11:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer
KANSAS CITY, Mo.- Kent State soccer's Donavan Capehart, Jenna Hellstrom, Abbie Lawson and Ashleah McDonald were named to the Division I Women's All-Great Lakes Region Teams as recently announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.Â
NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Teams
Hellstrom, a senior from Sudbury, Ontario, garners All-Region First Team honors for the second year in a row, having led the Golden Flashes in goals (14), assists (10) and points (38) this season. Hellstrom scored multiple goals in four games this season and netted the game-winning goal against Central Michigan in the MAC Tournament semifinals. All-Region honors adds to Hellstrom's collection of accolades from this season as she was also named MAC Offensive Player of the Year, first team All-MAC, and MAC All-Tournament Team and was a three-time MAC Offensive Player of the Week. Hellstrom finished her career with 37 goals, 17 game-winning goals, 33 assists and 107 points, all of which are set new Kent State records.
Lawson, a senior from nearby Stow, Ohio, was named All-Region Second Team as a staple in the midfield for the Golden Flashes this season. Lawson started all 20 games this season, recording one goal and one assist, while bolstering a defensive unit that gave up just 0.85 goals a game. In the MAC Championship game, Lawson was credited with the assist on Kristen Brots' game-winning goal as Kent State notched its first ever MAC Tournament Championship with a 1-0 victory over Northern Illinois. Lawson was also named second team All-MAC and MAC All-Tournament Team this year as she finished her career with 79 starts, tied with fellow senior Brittany Maisano and Madison Helterbran (2015) for the second-most in program history.Â
Capehart, a redshirt junior from Orient, Ohio, earned All-Region Third Team honors for the second year in a row, having tallied six goals and four assists this season. Capehart who was named second team All-MAC, scored five goals in a span of four games to begin conference play this season which gave way to her being named MAC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 4. In the MAC Tournament, Capehart netted the game-winning goal against Eastern Michigan in the first round and assisted Karli Paracca's game-tying goal in the second round against Central Michigan. Capehart will head into the 2017 season with 21 career goals, the sixth-most in program history.Â
McDonald, a sophomore from Langley, British Columbia, was named All-Region Third Team as a goalie, having notched a new Kent State single-single season record for wins with 14. McDonald appeared in 19 games this season, making 18 starts and logging over 1,700 minutes played.  McDonald registered seven shutouts this season including two in the MAC Tournament. In the MAC Championship match against Northern Illinois, McDonald made six saves, five of which came in the second half, keeping Kent State's hopes alive until Kristen Brots scored the game-winner in the 86th minute. McDonald finished the season with a 0.90 goals against average, dropping her career average to 0.97.
Kent State soccer reached new heights as a program this season: winning a program record 15 matches, going unbeaten in 13 straight matches, winning its first ever MAC Tournament and making its first NCAA Tournament appearance.Â
