Women’s Soccer Merits Seven All C-USA Awards, Including Coach of the Year for Baker

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The 2018 All-Conference USA women's soccer awards were released on Tuesday, with Florida Atlantic University Head Coach Patrick Baker voted as Coach of the Year, and six of his players earning All-Conference honors.

The Owls tied for the conference's best record, 8-1-1, and as such were C-USA regular season co-champions, after having been voted fifth by the coaches in the preseason. Baker previously shared C-USA honors in 2015; going back further, an FAU head coach had only won a league coaching award in 2005.

The six Owls acknowledged as All-C-USA were made up of two first teamers, defender Ebba Blomqvist (for the second straight year) and midfielder Mary O'Hara; one second teamer, goalkeeper Jennifer Ocampo; two on the third team in forward Elisha Holmes and defender Alex Maxson; and another defender, Hailey Landrus, on the All-Freshman team.

"I am honored and humbled that my C-USA peers consider the season that we have had worthy of this recognition," said Baker on his Coach of the Year honors. "There were several teams that posted tremendous seasons – North Texas, UAB and Southern Mississippi among them – and I feel there were a number of coaches who easily could have received this honor as well. The award is a true credit to the overall effort put forth by every member of our program this year: Most importantly our players, Coach (Laura) Jackson, Coach (Cameron) Fertenbaugh, Coach (Mary-Frances) Monroe, and our High Performance Team, are all big pieces to this accomplishment. My staff has been unbelievable this fall and we have worked hard to build the appropriate culture over the past six years. It was a remarkable season; we started off 2-6-0 with the likes of Miami, Florida, Baylor, Murray State, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Denver on the non-conference schedule. And then to close out the fall 9-1-1 and 8-1-1 in C-USA made for a remarkable ending to the season. Winning our first C-USA regular season title gave our young ladies a big boost over the weekend and we look forward to competing in this week's C-USA Tournament."

"As C-USA Coach of the year, no one is more deserving of this title than Coach Baker," added junior midfielder Jessica Monteiro. "He has changed the program tremendously and has shaped Florida Atlantic women's soccer into a highly distinguished program. We are more than grateful for Coach Baker as our coach and excited he gets to receive this award after our success this season."

Here is a closer look at each of Tuesday's honorees:

Ebba Blomqvist (First Team All-Conference Defender)
Blomqvist has continued to shine on the backline of a stingy FAU defense, which recorded seven shutouts, six in conference play, and allowed just five goals against C-USA foes. The junior native of Sweden has anchored the defense to the tune of starts in all 19 matches this year and 1,687 out of 1,733 minutes, or 97 percent of the time on the pitch this year (and every possible second of 929 minutes in C-USA play). She has three goals and two assists, and 11 shots on goal despite playing all year on the backline.

"I am beyond honored receiving this recognition, but even more proud and grateful for my teammates, who with or without awards, made my senior season exceed every expectation I had beforehand," said Blomqvist. "Everybody in the team is excited to start off the conference tournament in the best way possible, and that starts with the quarterfinals tomorrow."

"Ebba has been a wonderful addition to our back line since transferring to FAU two years ago," said Baker. "She has brought a maturity and high-level soccer IQ to our team; her abilities on both sides of the ball are special. She reads the game well, possesses a big-time heading presence, has a great range of passes and makes it difficult for opponents to break us down. Her partnership with Alex Maxson in the heart of our defense has been a big reason we have enjoyed the season we have had thus far. Ebba has also scored some big goals for us this year against Florida, Murray State and Southern Miss. We are excited for her to be recognized as one of the top defenders and players in Conference USA."

Mary O'Hara (First Team All-Conference Midfielder)
O'Hara is tied for the lead in scoring on the team that finished tied for first in the C-USA standings, scoring four goals and adding four assists, for 12 points. All four of her goals this year have come in the opening minutes of matches: 1:34 into the season opener vs. Miami; 1:31 into a match at Arkansas versus Ole Miss; 3:22 in as the game-winner vs. Oral Roberts; and 7:07 in on the road at North Texas. One of her three assists came on a golden goal, on the road at UTSA, and her fourth was on the game-winner this past Friday in the regular season finale at FIU.

"After receiving All-Conference honors and finishing up my junior season of soccer, I've reflected and realized how much I owe it to the people around me," said O'Hara. "I'm honored to accept this award but my coaches have impacted me so greatly throughout my years here. Most of all I owe it to my teammates who surround and support me on and off the field, making me a better person and player every day. Winning the C-USA regular season title with my team will always hold the upmost value to me because we accomplished this goal together. I couldn't have asked for a better junior season."

"Mary has been one of the top performers for us all year; she had a productive preseason, impactful non-conference season and a very good C-USA campaign," said Baker. "I'm very proud of her consistency this fall and she has provided some offensive production as well. There is no doubt she is playing her best soccer as our attacking center midfielder after playing out of position last year for the betterment of our team. Her ability to take people off the dribble and create opportunities with hardly any space is impressive. Mary is as equally impressive on the defensive side of the ball as well, which makes her more of a complete player. You always feel you have a chance with Mary and she can change the complexion of a game with one run, pass or shot. We're excited we have one more year together with her and her classmates."

Jennifer Ocampo (Second Team All-Conference Goalkeeper)
Ocampo has blossomed in her fifth year with the program and second as starter in net. After a brutal non-conference schedule, she has turned it on in conference play, recording a league-best six shutouts, and helping the Owls to an 8-1-1 record, the best since joining C-USA. Against league foes, she has allowed just four goals in 839 minutes, for a league-best goal-against average of 0.429, with 34 saves and an .895 save percentage, also tops in the conference.

"It's an honor to receive such a recognition," said Ocampo. "Through my five years here, all my teammates and coaches have pushed me to become to best player I can be. FAU has a history of great goalkeeping and I am happy I could keep that legacy going my senior year. We've had a great season and I'm excited to see us fight for another conference championship this week."

"We are very excited to see Jenny Ocampo be named Second Team by the C-USA coaches this year," said Baker. "She has had a special career at Florida Atlantic University and a wonderful senior season. Jenny got to spend three years with former FAU great Sydney Drinkwater learning and growing as goalkeepers. She was named captain after her junior year and proved her worth last year as the Owls had another 10+-win season and made a run to the C-USA semifinals. This year, her footwork, communication, leadership and accurate kicking game have been real testaments to her overall game. She has been a two-time captain and leads our team on and off the field. Jenny's story is one of commitment, development and being a complete team player!"

"I'm very proud of Jenny," added Cameron Fertenbaugh, assistant and goalkeeping coach. "This award is well deserved. She's been great in training and put a lot of time in video, studying and improving her game. Her dedication and work ethic has really paid off. The team had to battle through a lot of adversity early on in the year with such a tough schedule. Her leadership of not only the backline but of the team helped us to turn our season around, which led to us posting the best season in conference in school history. She's been huge for this team and I couldn't be happier for her."

Elisha Holmes (Third Team All-Conference Forward)
Holmes has been an offensive difference maker as one of the Owls' team captains in 2018, often taking on the role of supersub, with seven starts in 19 matches. She has provided two goals, both game-winners, against Denver and in league play vs. UAB, and is third on the team with 23 total shots. In six starts against league foes, the Owls are 4-1-1. It's the third straight year Holmes has received Conference honors, as she was All-Freshman two years ago, and a member of the All-C-USA Third Team last year.

"I am super blessed to have the opportunity to be named on the All-Conference team this year," said Holmes. "My team really challenged me to reach my full potential, and this year has been a great year for growth and development."

"Elisha becomes just the second FAU player to make the All-Freshman team and then receive All-Conference recognition as a sophomore and junior," said Baker. "We are excited the C-USA coaches have honored Elisha again this fall and she has been in really good form the past month. She is known for her speed and athleticism, but has really worked on her game to become an improved soccer player. Elisha can create something out of nothing and has the ability to change the complexion of a game with one run. She works hard for her teammates and has improved defensively, but Elisha's impact is felt most in the final third. Leading our team as a captain has been a new role for her this fall, but she has balanced that well with her playing and her school work."

Alex Maxson (Third Team All-Conference Defender)
Maxson has been an anchor at centerback for the Owls, often with the responsibility of defending the other team's top offensive player. She has started all 19 matches, and played a team-best 1,692 minutes in the field, or 98 percent. In conference play, that becomes all 100 percent, all 929:25. She also provided an assist on the team's game-winning goal, the only score, in a 1-0 C-USA victory versus Louisiana Tech, and has aided in the team's seven shutouts, all but one coming in league play.

"It's such an honor to be recognized by Conference USA for my success on the field, but this is truly a reflection of the efforts we have all put forth as a team," said Maxson. "The team has had such a successful season so far by winning the regular season conference championship, and it is great that all of our hard work has started to pay off. I'm so thankful for the tremendous support I receive from my teammates, coaches and training staff."

"Alex has been a three-year starter at centerback for us since her arrival on campus in 2016," said Baker. "She played alongside Erica Burt her freshman year and learned a great deal throughout her rookie campaign. Each year she improved her game and 2018 has been her best season as an Owl. Her defensive footwork, communication, closing angles and playmaking abilities have been highlighted this year. She and Ebba have been key components in a stingy back four that proved to be C-USA's best defense in 2018, allowing only five goals in conference play. We are proud of Alex's play this year and look forward to another year with her and her classmates in 2019."

Hailey Landrus (All-Freshman, as a Defender)
Landrus arrived on campus and quickly earned the role as the team's left outside back. She has started all 17 games she's appeared in, totaling exactly 1,500 minutes, and 90 minutes or more in 11 of those appearances. In C-USA play, she's played all but 14 minutes in her nine starts, 825 minutes in total, with just four opposing goals scored. The Andover, Minnesota native earned her first collegiate assist in a late September victory that came in the midst of a streak where FAU went nine matches without a loss, and has had 11 shot attempts this year, with five on goal.

"My freshman year has been so much fun so far," said Landrus. "I'm thankful I got the opportunity to come play soccer here at FAU. I've loved every part of it, getting to know all of the girls on and off the field. This season the team has been very successful and I'm excited to compete in the conference tournament."

"Hailey has made a positive impact at left back for us all year long and has faced many talented forwards," said Baker. "As a freshman, she has hardly come off the field. Hailey has very good pace, a strong defensive mindset and the ability to make plays out of the back. When we recruited her from Minnesota, I felt she could be a four-year starting left back, and her college career is off to a good start. She asks good tactical questions and has improved with each month of the season. Starting almost every game in 2018 and helping us to our first regular championship is an impressive statement. Hailey and her classmates have done a very good job of continuing to build our program."

The 2018 Conference USA Championship begins with the second-seeded Owls taking on Middle Tennessee on Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. To read more about that matchup, visit HERE.

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