Two Ferris State Soccer Standouts Earn All-Region Team Recognition

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Big Rapids, Mich. - A pair of Ferris State University women's soccer standouts have been named to the 2023 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Midwest Region Team for their performance this past fall.

FSU freshman forward Katherine Welch (Ada/Grand Rapids Christian) and junior defender Lindsay Cole (Grand Rapids/Catholic Central) both received all-region second team accolades. Overall, a total of 26 student-athletes from the region were recognized across the two teams with 13 first-team selections and 13 second-team choices.

Communication professionals from across the NCAA Division II Midwest Region nominated candidates for each of the four position categories and then specifically nominated student-athletes for consideration for player of the year. Once the nomination process concluded, school and conference communication professionals from across the region voted for the two D2 CCA Midwest Region teams. The Midwest region is made up of member schools from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education.

The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.

Previously, both Welch and Cole were also named this year to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) squad. Welch was chosen as the GLIAC Freshman of the Year and was an all-conference second team honoree while Cole garnered GLIAC Honorable Mention team status.

Welch led the Bulldogs to the GLIAC Tournament Semifinals this season. The rookie standout produced a team-high eight goals this year and was tied for the squad lead with 17 total points this season. She produced two game-winners and tallied 46 shots with 20 on goal.

Welch had a season-best four goals in FSU's 5-0 home win over Purdue Northwest on Oct. 13, which is tied for the second-best single-game effort in program history. Overall, as a freshman, she ranked second in total goals and tied for third in total points among the GLIAC's leaders this season.

Meanwhile, Cole started all 20 outings this campaign and tallied four assists for FSU with 16 shots and five shots on goal as one of the league's top outside back players.