FOUR WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS GARNER USC ALL-REGION HONORS

The AMCC saw four women's soccer players earn United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-Region honors, including three from Penn State Behrend and one from Pitt-Greensburg. Behrend's Karla Ochoa, Ava Michael and Brenna McGuire, along with Pitt-Greensburg's Tiffany Michalek were named to the 2021 USC All-Region VII Team.

Ochoa was selected to the first team, while Michael and McGuire were chosen to the second team, and Michalek to the third team. Ochoa will move on to the All-American ballot for earning first-team honors.

Ochoa, a junior midfielder, is earning her first All-Region honor after being named to the All-Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) first team. She ranked second on the team with seven assists and was third in points (27) and goals (10). The co-captain started every game and had two five-point performances with two goals and one assist (at John Carroll, Penn State Altoona). She had one game-winning goal and converted her only penalty kick taken.

McGuire and Michael landed on the second team for their first All-Region accolades. McGuire and Michael were the AMCC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, and were named to the All-Conference first team. McGuire led the team with 13 goals and five assists for 31 points. The senior forward finished with seven game-winning goals, including the game winner in the AMCC Championship game. McGuire had nine multiple-point games, recording a season-high four goals against Medaille.

Michael, a senior defender, was instrumental in allowing just six goals in 21 contests. Overall, Michael helped the Lions in the 16 shutouts and .025 goals-against average. As a team, Behrend did not give up a goal in conference play.  Michael contributed to limiting opponents to just 48 shots on goal. She also leads the team with eight assists in 19 starts.

Michalek finished first in the AMCC in goals, assists, points and shots. Her 22 goals this season, eight goals more than the next closest player, finish as the third most in the Pitt-Greensburg Women's Soccer Program history for goals in a season. Her 54 points finish second in program history for points in a season. As a senior and four-year player on the team, Michalek left her mark on the program with her play. Her 113 points over her four-year career is good for second in program history. The 46 goals she scored in her career is also good for second most in program history.