CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer postseason awards were announced Thursday by the conference office.
No. 15-ranked College of Idaho swept the awards with Eden Makaafi being named the Rize Laboratory Offensive Player of the Year, Hannah McFadden earned the Rize Laboratory Defensive Player of the Year, Alexis Haws was selected the Newcomer of the Year, while C of I head coach Brian Smith was named the Coach of the Year. Multnomah University grabbed the Team Sportsmanship Award.
Makaafi, a sophomore forward from Boise, Idaho, was a crucial part to the Yotes dominant offense, leading C of I to an undefeated conference record and a CCC Regular Season Championship title. She finished the regular season leading the CCC in multiple categories, including points (1.83 Avg/G), goals (0.83 Avg/G), and game-winning goals with four total. Last week, she was named the CCC Rize Laboratory Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
McFadden, a graduate student goalkeeper from North Meridian, Idaho, helped lead the Yotes to their third straight championship game appearance. She topped the CCC in several areas including, save percentage (.947%), goals against (0.09 Avg/G), and shutouts with eight total this conference season. She was also named the CCC Rize Laboratory Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.
Haws, a transfer junior defender from Boise State University, had an outstanding first season with the Yotes. She helped hold onto an NAIA ranking all year while securing the CCC's first Automatic Berth to the National Tournament. She was a key part in C of I's strong defensive efforts, resulting in 11 total CCC shutouts and outscoring conference opponents by an impressive 3.50 margin.
Smith led the Coyotes to finish the regular season with a 18-1-1 overall record, 12-0 in the CCC. In his 12th season, this is his second consecutive year earning this honor. The Yotes are currently on a 17-game win streak as they continue into postseason. Overall, College of Idaho averaged 3.60 goals per game while only allowing opponents 0.40 goals against. The team is currently ranked in the top nine for points in the NAIA. The regular-season champs saw six Yotes earn all-conference, with five earning spots on the first team.
The 2023 CCC All-Conference team can be found,
HERE.