BURNSVILLE, MINN. – For the first time in program history, the University of Sioux Falls Soccer Team has had two players earn Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first or second team honors with the selection of senior goalkeeper Alexis Wemhoff (first team) and junior defender Bailey Kehrli (second team) on Thursday by the league office.

In another program first, Wemhoff was selected the NSIC Goalkeeper of the Year. Wemhoff's recognition as the league's top goalie is USF's first-ever postseason special award recipient. Previously, USF had three third-team honorees and four named honorable mention. Wemhoff and Kehrli helped USF finish above preseason team projections with an 11^th place finish and a 3-8-4 mark in league play.
 

USF Head Soccer Coach Brittany Domino was pleased with the recognition and proud of her two standouts for their hard work this year.
 
"I cannot think of someone who is more deserving of this award. Alexis has put in a lot of time and energy into soccer over the last year to really position herself to be in the running for this award. She showed up every day determined to get better but also focused on enjoying the process and the work. Her performance this year was unbelievable," said Domino.
 
In earning the special award as the league's top goalkeeper, Wemhoff had a season unmatched in school history in goal. She was tied for the NSIC lead in saves per match at 10.0 (NSIC matches) and ranked second in NCAA DII overall in saves per game at 9.18. Wemhoff was second in the NSIC with a .909 goals average (NSIC games) and was 10^th overall in DII in save percentage at .886. Wemhoff, who ranked third in the league and 26^th in DII with 101 total saves, recorded four shutouts in nine NSIC matches. In addition, she played a key role as USF was second in the NSIC and third in DII in team saves per game at 10.50. Wemhoff, a biology major from Columbus, Neb., also earned NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week honors after playing 200 minutes and recording consecutive shutouts with 18 total saves in matches against NSU and MSU Moorhead.
 
"There were many games where she single handedly kept us in the games. We could always count on her to make remarkable saves but also to lead a backline of freshmen against some of the top talent in the nation," said Domino. "We have an outstanding goalkeeper coach, Gabe Wortman, along with two other goalkeepers that day in and day out pushed Alexis to be her best and that demanding training environment payed off every game day for Alexis and our program. I am very proud of her and all that she accomplished this year."

 

Kehrli, a junior exercise science major from Elkhorn, Neb., was named second team as a defender.  She is USF's first-ever defender to earn a second-team nod. A steady performer as a defender and midfielder, Kehrli helped USF's defense hold 14 opponents to two or fewer goals. In addition, she played 18 matches with 1,485 total minutes. Kehrli scored a goal with two points and two shots on goal.  
 
"I am really proud of the season that Bailey put together this year. Bailey was the player that I knew I could build our tactical plan for each game around. Each week I seemed to give her a slightly different role and she always exceeded my expectations," said Domino. "She played a major role for our team this year and it is awesome to see other coaches recognizing that as well. She demonstrated tremendous growth throughout the season and really learned to take on many responsibilities for our team. Our success later in the season has a lot to do with us being able to move her up into the midfield and have a lot of our play run through her. She had a great year and is very deserving of this recognition," she said.