skip navigation

Nine UWS Stars Named All-American

12/14/2017, 6:30pm EST
By Admin

Corboz, Castellanos & Wenger top the United Soccer Coaches honor roll

METUCHEN, NJ - Nine current and former United Women's Soccer (UWS) standouts were honored as All-Americans by United Soccer Coaches for their efforts during their collegiate campaigns this past fall. This year's All-Americans, along with their families and coaches, will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Luncheon on January 20, 2018 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in conjunction with the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention in downtown Philadelphia.

DIVISION I: Georgetown University midfielder Rachel Corboz (New York Surf) was named to the First Team and Hoyas compatriot & defender Elizabeth Wenger (Lancaster Inferno) was named to the Second Team alongside Florida State University forward Deyna Castellanos (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) - the reigning UWS Player of the Year. Corboz is a three-time All-American and was also named the Big East Midfielder of the Year. Wenger was a First Team All-Midwest Region honoree after being named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. Castellanos was also honored this fall as one of three finalists for the FIFA Best Women's Player of the Year, as well as one of the three finalists for the FIFA Puskas Award. West Virginia University forward Michaela Abam starred for the Colorado Pride in 2016.

DIVISION II: Nova Southeastern University defender Bailey Corbin (Lancaster Inferno) and Adelphi University forward Jeanine Nunez (New Jersey Copa FC) were named Third Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches. Corbin's honor follows a big year in which she helped propel the Sharks to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, a Sunshine State Conference regular season title, and was named the SSC Defensive Player of the Year. Nunez earned her first All-American honor and ensured Adelphi representation on the All-America Team for the fourth year in a row, after the Panthers did not have a selection since 2004. The Copa star also landed on the All-East Region First Team.

NAIA: Spring Arbor University midfielder Bethany Balcer (Grand Rapids FC) was selected as the NAIA National Player of the Year for the second time in her career and was joined on the First Team by University of Northwestern Ohio forward Evdokia Popadinova (Detroit Sun). The defending UWS champion GRFC Women had a second player honored as Martin Methodist College midfielder Riko Sagara (Grand Rapids FC) made the Second Team. Balcer was selected to the First Team for the third consecutive season and scored two goals in the NAIA Championship to help SAU secure its second title in three seasons. Popadinova was the WHAC Offensive Player of the Year and a Third Team All-American in 2016. This was Sagara's second straight All-American honor as well and she tallied over 30 assists this past fall.

2017 NCAA Division I Women's All-America Team

First Team
MF - Rachel Corboz - Georgetown University (NEW YORK SURF)

Second Team
D - Elizabeth Wenger - Georgetown University (LANCASTER INFERNO)
F - Michaela Abam - West Virginia University (COLORADO PRIDE)
F - Deyna Castellanos - Florida State University (SANTA CLARITA BLUE HEAT)

2017 NCAA Division II Women's All-America Team

Third Team
D - Bailey Corbin - Nova Southeastern University (LANCASTER INFERNO)
F - Jeanine Nunez - Adelphi University (NEW JERSEY COPA FC)

2017 NAIA Women's All-America Team

First Team
MF - Bethany Balcer - Spring Arbor University (GRAND RAPIDS FC)
F - Evdokia Popadinova - University of Northwestern Ohio (DETROIT SUN)

Second Team
MF - Riko Sagara - Martin Methodist College (GRAND RAPIDS FC)

About United Women’s Soccer (UWS): UWS is a national women’s soccer league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). UWS is a professionally operated league created for teams that meet high minimum standards. The season runs from May until the end of July, culminating in a National Championship match. The UWS player pool is comprised of college players, aspiring & former professionals and international stars. You can follow UWS on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Media can contact UWS Director of Communications Jorma Kansanen by e-mail at UWSPress@gmail.com. You can visit the league’s official website at UWSSoccer.com. Interested team applicants can contact League Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. by e-mail at Joe@UWSSoccer.com.

Tag(s): News |   Lancaster Inferno  New Jersey Copa FC  Detroit Sun  Grand Rapids FC  New York Surf