Six Peacocks Named to All-NSIC Teams

The official All-NSIC conference teams were released on Thursday morning from the league offices and six members of the Upper Iowa women’s soccer team made the list.

Both senior defender Vicki Booth and junior goalkeeper Amanda Smith were All-Conference First Team selections for their outstanding defensive play. Booth has continually shutdown some of the best opposing scorers, while Smith recorded a total of 13 regular-season shutouts in goal for the Peacocks. In 2012, Smith gave up only seven goals all year, while racking up 70 saves and a 14-2-2 record.

Senior perimeter defender Catherine Bunting was also honored on Thursday morning. Bunting, who is a four-year starter for UIU, was chosen as a Second-Team All-Conference selection. The Cedar Rapids native netted her first collegiate goal against Augustana on the 21^st of October in the 103^rd minute of double-overtime. That goal not only gave the Peacocks the win, but it gave this 2012 squad a regular-season school-record 14 wins.

Kelsey Taldone, another backline defender for UIU, was honored with a Third-Team All-NSIC selection. Taldone, who had the game-winning goal over Maryville on September 1^st, started every regular-season match for the Peacocks at the middle defender position. Taldone, who now has three career goals for UIU, also had an assist in both the Minot State game and the U-Mary match in 2012.

Also being honored as a Third-Team All-Conference selection was senior midfielder Valeria Ptasinski. The Machesney Park native tied for a team-high four assists during the regular season. She also added an assist in the opening round of the NSIC/ US Bank Women’s Soccer Tournament on Wednesday against Bemidji State. Ptasinski was a Daktronics Second Team All-Central Region and Second Team All-NSIC honoree during her sophomore campaign. Ptasinksi earned her first goal in 2012 in week six against Sioux Falls, before adding another goal and her 16^th of her career a weekend later at Bemidji State.

Rounding out the accolades was UIU’s leading scorer this year Kali Loescher, who earned an honorable mention selection. Loescher had a team-high seven goals and had two assists in the regular season.

After defeating the Beavers on Wednesday the Peacocks advance to the Semi-Finals of the NSIC/ US Bank Women’s Soccer Tournament for the second consecutive season. UIU will play Winona State in Mankato, Minnesota on Friday at 11 a.m.