Cayleigh Immelman Named MAC Freshman of the Year

Complete Mid-American Conferece Release .pdf

MOUNT PLEASANT - Cayleigh Immelman was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year Wednesday, joining four other Chippewas as All-MAC selections.

Sophomore midfielder Simone Lazar joined Immelman on the MAC's first team, while senior midfielder Paulina Lee, junior midfielder Erin Dye and junior goalkeeper Anastasia Netto were named to the All-MAC second team.

Immelman (Port Elizabeth, South Africa/Woodridge College) has led the Chippewas all season, ranking fourth in the MAC with 11 goals and 29 points, while ranking second during conference play with seven goals and 18 points. Twice during MAC play she scored two goals in a game and also had a season-high two assists versus Missouri State on Oct. 2. She becomes the first Chippewa to earn MAC Freshman of the Year honors since Kim Erasmus in 2006 and the third all time.

Lazar (Etobicoke, Ontario/Michael Power/St. Joseph's HS) has started every contest for the Chippewas, scoring two goals and tallying three assists on the season to earn second-team honors for the first time. An alternate to the Canadian Junior National Team, Lazar's play in the midfield allowed the Chippewas not only to have the second-ranked offense in the MAC, but also an improved defense that also ranked second in the MAC in nearly every statistical category.

Lee (Pittsford, N.Y./Mendon HS) earns second-team honors for the first time in her career after leading the Chippewas with nine assists on the season, just one shy of moving into eighth on CMU's single season list. A 2011 co-captain, Lee scored a goal in both of the Chippewas' contests versus Ball State, caging the game-winner on Oct. 16.

Dye (St. Louis, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) earns second-team honors for the first time in her career after ranking eighth during MAC play with 12 points. Second on the team with eight goals, Dye finished ranked 10th in points overall, while her eight goals ranked ninth in the MAC.

Netto (Trindad & Tobago/St. Joseph's Convent) earned second-team honors after becoming one of the most formidable goalkeepers in the conference and country. The junior improved her goals-against average by nearly one whole goal in her second season as a starter, ranking second in the MAC. Her .727 save percentage also ranked second, as did her two shutouts. Netto made a career-high 12 saves versus Kent State and recorded 84 on the season, good for third in the MAC.

CMU's two first-team selections are the most since 2006, while it is the first time since 1998 that the Chippewas had three players named to the second team. The Maroon and Gold finished tied for second in the MAC with a 5-5 record, earning the No. 3 seed in this weekend's MAC Tournament in Athens, Ohio.

The Chippewas will play a quarterfinal match versus Missouri State Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

All-MAC First Team
Devanny Kuhn, Ball State
Cayleigh Immelman, Central Michigan
Simone Lazar, Central Michigan
Carla Johl, Kent State
Rebecca Lee, Kent State
Casey Bayliss, Missouri State
Cathryn Altodoerffer, Ohio
Taylor Brown, Ohio
Jessica Jue, Ohio
Louzeth Schutte, Ohio
Jen McGill, Ohio - GK

All-MAC Second Team
Gretchen Lulow, Ball State
Erin Dye, Central Michigan
Paulina Lee, Central Michigan
Anastasia Netto, Central Michigan - GK
Debbie Bell, Kent State
Julia Hofmann, Kent State
Emily Gruesser, Miami
Kylie Landeros, Miami
Amanda Seeley, Miami
Sarah Bradley, Missouri State
Reiann Stoute, Missouri State