CORVALLIS, Ore. – After earning the first trip to nationals in program history last week, The College of Idaho women's soccer program was honored with a host of accolades in the Cascade Conference postseason awards that were announced on Tuesday by the league office.
In total, six players were honored by the conference, with head coach
Brian Smith recognized as Coach of the Year.
Senior defender
Kaya Evans took home multiple honors, being named Player of the Year, East Division Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Conference. Evans was an instrumental part of a defense that allowed just 16 goals on the season to go along with five shutouts. The last time C of I had a player named Defensive Player of the Year was
Brittany Houghton in 2017. Evans is the first Coyote to ever be selected as Cascade Conference Player of the Year.
For Smith, this marks the fourth time that he has been named Cascade Conference Coach of the Year. He previously received the honor after the 2006, 2008 and 2010 seasons when he was coaching the C of I men's soccer program.
Joining Evans as first-team All-Conference selections were senior goalkeeper
Kylee Atkins, freshman forward
Maddie Smith and sophomore midfielder
Chloe Teets.
Junior defender
Payton Anderson and senior forward
Brooklyn Ruwe were honorable mention All-Conference.
The Yotes begin NAIA National Championship Opening Round competition on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET against Central Methodist (Mo.) in Marion, Ind.
