THREE OXY WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS MAKE ALL-SCIAC LIST
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Occidental College women's soccer players Kellee Murayama (Wahiawa, HI), Elissa Minamishin (Waipahu, HI) and Maddy Rasch (Seattle, WA) were named to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's all-conference team for the second consecutive year on Tuesday, after leading the Tigers (5-10, 5-7) to a fifth-place finish.
Murayama made the first team and Minamishin and Rasch second team, a repeat of the Tigers All-SCIAC representation last year.
Murayama did not have terrific numbers, with just a goal and an assist on the season, but the control and competitiveness she brought to the Oxy midfield was matched by very few around the league.
"Her range of passing, game awareness and the ability to change the direction of play are hallmarks of her game," Occidental coach Colm McFeely said. "Although small in stature, she competes fiercely and it is great to see Kellee end her Oxy career with another All-SCIAC award."
Minamishin was third in the league with 11 goals, making it 19 career goals in just 33 games played so far in her career.
"She reads the game very well, is crafty in her positioning, sees opportunities early and brings teammates into the game in a very unselfish way," McFeely said. "Her ability with the ball and her eye for goal are superb, but I think it is her savvy mind that makes her difficult to play against."
Rasch appeared on the list for her second straight year, despite playing the second half of the season with a broken wrist.
"It typifies the attitude and commitment she exhibited in every game," McFeely said. "Her dominance in the air, reading of the game, composure and decision making, plus her leadership and competitive drive, have been recognized by the league and I'm delighted to see her pick up consecutive SCIAC honors and end her Oxy collegiate journey on a high note."
