Berna Named IIAC Coach of the Year, Three Earn First Team Honors
Nov 20, 2013 | J.Crane
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) has announced its major awards and all-conference team for the 2013 women's soccer season. Loras senior Kinsey Campbell has been named Iowa Conference Defensive MVP and Central senior Alayna Bailey has been named the Iowa Conference Offensive MVP, while University of Dubuque head coach Jason Berna and Luther head coach Russ Schouweiler will share 2013 IIAC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year honors.
University of Dubuque Women’s Soccer Head Coach Jason Berna earned his second consecutive (fourth overall) IIAC Coach of the Year honor. He also won the award in 2005, 2009, and 2012. Berna led the Spartans to a school record 16 wins and to the IIAC Tournament Championship Game. UD also set school records in 2013 with 10 home wins, six consecutive wins, and fewest goals allowed in a season with 18. Dubuque led the IIAC in goals-against average (0.85) and fewest goals allowed (18). Berna, the only coach in UD Women’s Soccer history, has won 137 games in his 13 years while also qualifying for the IIAC Tournament in each of the last 10 years.
A trio of Spartans earned First Team All-Iowa Conference with senior forward Alexandra Watkins (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) earning her fourth All-IIAC selection. Joining Watkins on the First Team were juniors Megan Siepler (La Canada, Calif./La Canada) and Lauren Waddell (Poplar Grove, Ill./Belvidere North).
Watkins, a three-time First Team honoree led the Iowa Conference with five game winning goals while finishing second in goals (15) and points (39). Her nine assists were the third most in the IIAC. Watkins finishes her playing days at Dubuque with the fourth highest career goal total in UD Women’s Soccer history with 45 goals and tied for first with 10 game winning goals. She is also fifth in assists (20), fourth in points (110), second in shots on goal (120), third in shots (241), fourth in games started (75), and fifth in games played (78). Watkins earned First Team All-IIAC previously in 2010 and 2012 while also being a Second Team selection in 2011. Watkins was one of seven Spartans to start all 21 games this season.
Siepler teamed with Watkins to form a potent 1-2 punch for the Spartans at the forward position. Her eight goals ranked fifth in the IIAC this season. She was also fifth in shots (61) and sixth in points (20). Siepler was an Honorable Mention All-IIAC selection in 2012. Siepler was one of seven Spartans to start all 21 games this season.
A stabilizing force on the defensive side of the field, Waddell earned First Team honors as the Spartans posted a 0.85 goals against average for the year. UD finished the season averaging just 4.5 shots on goal allowed per game. Waddell was one of seven Spartans to start all 21 games this season.
The Dubuque junior class was well represented on the Second Team as well with goalkeeper Tiffany Duncan (Hartford, Wis./Union), defender Kelsey Graefen (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central), and midfielder Melanie Prudhomme (Lakemoor, Ill./Wauconda) being honored. Each of the three Spartan honorees started all 21 games in 2013.
Duncan returned to the Spartan lineup this season after missing all of 2012 with an injury. She set a pair of school records with 16 wins and seven shutouts while posting the second lowest goals against average in school history at 0.86. Within the IIAC, Duncan finished first in goals against average (0.86), save percentage (.809), and shutouts (7).
A two-way standout, Graefen finished the year with four goals and two assists while providing a seamless transition from the defensive backfield to the offensive side of the field. Graefen along with Waddell and Melissa Sawyer provided the Spartans with a core defensive unit that aided the return of Duncan from injury. She scored the game winner on a header against regionally ranked Carthage College in a 1-0 victory.
Pruddhomme finished the season with one goal and six assists from the midfield position. Her biggest game of the came against Central as she scored one goal and assisted on two others including the game winner.
Junior midfielder Liz Frazier (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) earned Honorable Mention recognition. Frazier scored five goals and assisted on four others for 14 points scored. She scored the game winner is the Spartans 1-0 win over Dominican.
The 27-member All-IIAC Team included 10 repeat performers with Watkins being the only four-time honoree. The complete All-Iowa Conference Women’s Soccer Team can be found at: All-IIAC Women’s Soccer
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