Women’s soccer ends first season with league honors

Kelly Fritz had 118 saves during the women’s soccer team’s inaugural campaign. Photo: Steve Woltmann

In her first collegiate season, Kelly Fritz earned Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year honors after the women’s soccer team’s inaugural campaign.

Fritz also received First Team All-League honors, while teammate Jasmin Carrera was voted to the All-League Second Team. Both players also earned a spot on the All-Freshman team.

Fritz collects the award following a successful freshman campaign, with 118 saves across 17 games. Fritz led the conference in saves a majority of the season and finished the year with three shutouts. The Lemont native averaged 8.88 saves per contest against conference opponents and 6.94 saves per contest overall.

“Kelly’s growth and understanding of what it takes to be a successful goalkeeper at the Division 1 level is starting to take shape,” head coach Brian Rigby said. “Her willingness to get better, her execution and her ability to grasp concepts and methods quickly has placed Kelly in this position to achieve this accomplishment. I congratulate Kelly and her teammates for creating an environment for Kelly to receive this award.”

Carrera takes her place on the All-League Second Team after leading the Flames this season in goals with four and points with 10, while adding two assists.

“Jasmin has put in many hours away from the coaching staff and her peers working extremely hard at improving herself,” Rigby said. “She is a student of the game and is always looking to make everyone who plays with her a better player and person. Jasmin’s technical ability along with her quick and accurate decision making under pressure has allowed her to be recognized among the best in the conference.”

UIC (3-15-0, 1-7-0) closed out its season on a high note this past weekend, shutting out Youngstown State, 1-0, to earn its first League victory in program history.