Three Spartans Garner Postseason All-Big Ten Honors
10/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
The Big Ten Conference announced the 2015 women's soccer All-Big Ten teams and individual honors Friday, Oct. 30. Michigan State had three recipients that were honored by the Big Ten Conference -- Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz (First Team), Lexy Warner (All-Freshman Team) and Sarah Kovan (Sportsmanship Award).
Senior defender Fiebernitz was honored as part of the All-Big Ten First Team for defense. Fiebernitz is the first Spartan to collect first-team honors since 2012.
Fiebernitz has left her legacy on Spartan soccer. Being named to the All-Big Ten Second Team in both 2013 and 2014, the captain played in a total of 74 games while starting 53. Although a staple at the centerback position, the talented senior and avid offensive threat collected 13 goals and four assists during her collegiate career for a total of 30 points. Fiebernitz tied for the team high in goals (3) for the 2015 season. She was a major factor in leading a Spartan defense that went 326 minutes without allowing a goal earlier this season.
Newcomer Warner followed in the footsteps of teammate Jamie Cheslik as she was named to the All-Freshman Team as a forward. The Ypsilanti native came into her collegiate career to lead her team in points (10), goals (3), and assists (4). She played a major role as an offensive catalyst for the Spartans, including scoring both goals in the 2-1 win against Iowa on Sept. 18.
Senior midfielder Kovan was one of 14 Sportsmanship Award honorees. The students chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Kovan, a Rhodes and Mitchell Scholarships nominee, played in 75 games while starting 64 in her career at MSU. As a double major in Human Biology and Comparative Culture and Politics, the senior captain carries a 3.91 cumulative GPA. She was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team in 2013 and 2014 as well as being a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar last season. She also helped the Spartan backline that went 326 minutes without allowing a goal this season. Kovan has led her team by example both off and on the pitch, arranging for the team to play soccer with children suffering from illnesses at the Teddy Bear Picnic earlier this month.
All three recipients of this year's honors have led their team both on and off the pitch with their mentality, attitude, and heart for the community as well as their Spartan Family.
