CHEYENNE, WY – The postseason awards for Region IX women’s soccer were released this week and the Laramie County Community College Golden Eagles picked up five All-Region selections to add to their third consecutive Region IX title.
The top awards go to redshirt-freshman goalie Rebecca Sargent who was named the top goalie in the region while picking up first team honors, and freshman Ekena Little who was named the Defensive MVP.
Sargent finished the season with seven clean sheets and a goal against an average of 1.15 while making 77 saves, starting all 17 of the games she appeared in this season.
“Becca was very adamant on how successful she wanted to be this season, the standard she sets for herself is something most can’t achieve,” Arenas said. “Her tenacity and leadership mentality pushed her to be better this year. Coach Kay & Coach Chuck are huge pieces to her development here at LCCC, not to mention Jenna who kept Becca on her toes for how close our GK’s were to each other. She’s set for a bright future, and I know this won’t be the last time her name is brought up.”
Little started in 17 of the 18 games she appeared in this season and was effective in multiple areas for the Golden Eagles, including getting involved in the offense where she added two goals and two assists, including a postseason goal against Gillette College in the opening round of the playoffs.
“Ekena is a symbol for our Wyoming tough mentality. She’s played in various positions this year and never once questioned it; she knew it’s what the team needed to compete. Ekena locked down some of the Region’s best players and was just as effective moving forward. She’s given a player for athletes in Cheyenne to look up to for what you can achieve,” Arenas said.
Also earning All-Region honors on the second team were Danielle O’Leary as a forward, Jentrie Porter as a midfielder, and Celeste Jimenez-Montero as a defender.
“All these girls deserve it and stats don’t always tell the entire story. These five have been massive pieces to our success this year and I couldn’t be any prouder. The extra hours each of these ladies plug in watching film, in the weight room or out training on their own is why they’ve earned these awards,” Arenas said.
For winning the region a second straight year, Arenas was named the Region IX Coach of the Year. In his two seasons with the Golden Eagles, he has led the team to a 17-2-5 record against Region IX competition and a 21-9-6 record overall.
“It feels rewarding for all the work plugged in this season and in chunks I’m grateful for the team. Without players that buy in to our team motive and without a staff that stands by my decisions no matter what, none of this is possible. To be recognized again is amazing, but I certainly know it isn’t done alone,” Arenas said of winning Coach of the Year for a second time.
Four of the award winners for the team were freshman, showing the depth that could potentially come back for the Golden Eagles in 2025 when the team will be in search of a fourth-consecutive Region IX title.
LCCC will be competing in the National Championship Tournament beginning on Monday in Wichita, Kansas when they face Tyler Junior College at 9 AM MST to open the postseason. They will face two-time defending national champions Iowa Western Community College at 9 AM MST on Tuesday morning to close pool play.
Information on the game and postseason can be found at www.golccc.com.