'Dogs grab nine MW postseason honors

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following its highest finish in the Mountain West since 2013, which also saw Fresno State place second in the regular season with 22 points, the Bulldogs earned five All-Mountain West selections, their most since joining the conference. Fifth-year senior Robyn McCarthy earned the squad's highest honor as the center back was selected Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.

Fresno State's captain, and organizer of one of the league's top defensive units, McCarthy played all but two minutes during the 11-match conference season. The Brentwood, Calif. native is the second Bulldog to ever earn a conference Defensive Player of the Year award, joining Rochelle Jagdeo, a two-time honoree in the WAC (2005-2006).

Joining McCarthy on the All-Mountain First Team are junior transfer Chais Wright and sophomore Kassandra Ceja. Freshman Kaelyn Miller and Sam Tristan earned All-MW Second Team honors. The All-MW selections were the most for Fresno State in its 10 years in in the conference.

The freshman duo, along with Wright were also selected the league's All-Newcomer Team. The Bulldogs were the only team with multiple selections on the All-Newcomer Team. Additionally, the Bulldogs had three of the five newcomers who were selected to the All-MW teams.

Robyn McCarthy – Sr. – Defender
Defensive Player of the Year; All-Mountain West First Team

Started all 11 matches at center back.
Captained a defensive unit that held nine of 11 opponents below their season shot average. The other two were 0.1 and 0.4 above their averages.
Helped the Bulldogs allow the second-lowest number of goals (11).
Played all but two minutes during conference play.
Recorded one assist on the year with it coming on an 86^th-minute insurance goal vs. Colorado State.
Setup Kaelyn Miller's 108^th-minute game winner vs. San Diego State (1-0).
Started the season as a midfielder but shifted to center back due to an injury in the season opener.

Kassandra Ceja – So. – Forward
All-Mountain West First Team

Tied for second in MW in points with 13.
Tied for second in MW in goals with 5.
Tied for first in MW in game-winning goals with 2.
Tallied 3 assists.
Recorded second-highest single-game point total in conference play with 5 (2G/1A) vs. Wyoming, recording all 5 points in the first 24 minutes.
One of 7 players in the league to post a multi-goal game.
Earned and converted two penalty kicks, the game-winner vs. Colorado State (3-0) and the equalizer at Utah State (2-1).
Fresno State was undefeated in conference play when Ceja recorded points.
Played in all 11 matches, starting 10.
Put 42.3 percent of shots on target.

Chais Wright – Jr. – Defender
All-Mountain West First Team; All-Newcomer Team

Started all 11 matches at left back/left wing back.
Played a key role in Fresno State's attack down the left flank throughout the season.
Part of a backline that held nine of 11 opponents below their season shot average. The other two were 0.1 and 0.4 above their averages.
Helped the Bulldogs allow the second-lowest number of goals (10).
Recorded two assists.
Assisted on equalizer at Colorado College on a free kick in the 78^th minute.
Assisted on the game's opening goal vs. San Jose State.
One of two newcomers to start all 11 matches for the Bulldogs.
Played every minute in nine matches.

Kaelyn Miller – Fr. – Forward
All-Mountain West Second Team; All-Newcomer Team

1 of 4 freshmen in Mountain West history to lead the conference in goal in MW games.
First in MW in goals with 6.
First in MW in game-winning goals with 3.
Tied for second in points with 13.
Highest point total among newcomers with 13
Had 3 game-winners, 1 equalizer and 1 game-opening goal.
Put 66.7 percent of shots on target.
Scored on half of her shots.
Played in all 11 matches, making four starts.
Averaged just shy of 50 minutes per match
Fresno State was 5-1 when Miller scored.

Sam Tristan – Fr. – Midfielder
All-Mountain West Second Team; All-Newcomer Team

Tied for third on team in goals with 2.
Fourth on team in points with 6.
1 of 7 freshmen in the MW to record at least 6 points, but only 1 of 2 freshmen midfielders to record at least 6 points.
Scored on both shots she put on target.
Was involved in the corner kick sequence that led to Kaelyn Miller's 108^th-minute game winner vs. San Diego State (1-0).
Played in all 11 matches, making five starts.
Averaged nearly 70 minutes per match.

2021 Mountain West Individual Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Jadyn Edwards, New Mexico
Defensive Player of the Year: Robyn McCarthy, Fresno State
Newcomer of the Year: Zaria Katesigwa, New Mexico
Coach of the Year: Heather Dyche, New Mexico

2021 Mountain West Women's Soccer All-Conference First Team
Name                            Class    Position            Team
Faith Lee Jr.         MF                    Air Force
Gracie Armstrong           Sr.        F                      Colorado State
Kristen Noonan              Sr.        F                      Colorado State
Kassandra Ceja            So.       F                      Fresno State
Robyn McCarthy           Sr.        D                      Fresno State
Chais Wright                 Jr.         D                      Fresno State
Jadyn Edwards               Sr.        MF                    New Mexico
Emily Johnson              Sr.        GK                    New Mexico
Karlee Maes Sr.        D                      New Mexico
Molly Meyers Sr.        F                      New Mexico
Lourdes Bosch               Jr.         F                      UNLV
Ashley Cardozo              Sr.        MF                    Utah State

2021 Mountain West Women's Soccer All-Conference Second Team
Name                            Class    Position            Team
Abby Bivens                  Sr. D Boise State
Aubree Chatterton Sr. F Boise State
Jacqui Hand                  Sr. F Colorado College
Kaelyn Miller                Fr. F Fresno State
Sam Tristan                  Fr. MF                    Fresno State
Zaria Katesigwa Fr. F New Mexico
Alexa Kirton Sr. MF New Mexico
Denise Castro Fr. F San Diego State
Anna Toohey Sr. MF San Diego State
Kiera Utush                   Jr. D San Diego State
Karlee Pottorff               Sr. D San José State
Diera Walton Jr.           GK Utah State

2021 Mountain West Women's Soccer All-Newcomer Team
Name                            Class    Position            Team
Hannah Johnson Fr. D Air Force
Kenzie MacMillan          Fr. MF Boise State
Kaelin Enga                   Fr.    MF Colorado College
Shayna Ross Fr. GK Colorado State
Kaelyn Miller Fr. F Fresno State
Sam Tristan Fr. MF Fresno State
Chais Wright Jr.         D Fresno State
Emily Rich Fr. F Nevada
Zaria Katesigwa Fr. F New Mexico
Denise Castro Fr. F San Diego State
Addy Symonds Fr. D Utah State

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Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs grab nine MW postseason honors

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Kassandra Ceja

Robyn McCarthy

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Sam Tristan

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