Blue Knights Soccer Awards

Players from women and men’s teams recognized with annual honors

Some 100 guests attended the Blue Knights Soccer Banquet at Old Chicago in Apple Valley, Minn, celebrating the record-setting 2009–2010 season. The men went 15–6–1 with the women finishing 16–6, both program records.

Cam Stoltz, DCTC athletic coordinator and coach of both the women and men’s teams said a few words in recognition of team and individual achievements. Ronald E. Thomas, DCTC president, also congratulated the players on their tremendous performance. With dozens of returning players on both teams, the coaching staff is looking ahead to a very bright future for DCTC soccer, which includes includes the home-field advantage provided by the new Ames Soccer Complex on the college’s Rosemount campus.

Freshman Forward Amanda Olsen was recognized for her selection to the NJCAA Div. I All-American Honorable Mention roster. Olsen also made 2009 NSCAA Women’s NCAA Division I Junior College All-Central Region.

Regional award winners were honored (see Five Blue Knights Soccer Players Make ICCAC Region XI 1st Team All-Region for details) as were Katie Lucca for making NJCAA Academic All-American, the first DCTC student-athlete to receive the honor, and former player Geofrey Kalanzi for winning the 2009 NJCAA Lea Plarski Award.

The Blue Knight Team Awards were the highlight of the evening. Check below for the individual winners:

Blue Knight Award

Considered the most prestigious award in DCTC Soccer, the Blue Knight Award recognizes extraordinary athleticism, leadership both on and off the field, and citizenship.

Hannah Decklever #4
  • Freshman
  • Major: Child Development
  • Position: Midfielder
  • High School: Lakeville North
  • Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.

An excellent student, Decklever is a pure team player who gives 100 percent all the time and is always there for her teammates.

Korbin Anglin #20
  • Freshman
  • Major: Individualized Studies
  • Position: Fullback
  • High School: Summer Academy
  • Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.

After two years of doing mission work for his church, Anglin enrolled at DCTC and immediately stood out as a strong role model for his teammates, exemplifying maturity and a powerful sense of ethical play.

MVP

This award recognizes the players that make the most valuable contribution to their respective teams.

Spenser von Behren #1
  • Freshman
  • Major: Exercise and Sport Science
  • Position: Goalkeeper
  • Redshirt transfer from Virginia Commonwealth University, Div. I
  • Hometown: Bloomington, Minn.

With solid experience in goal, von Behren raised the level of play of the entire team, giving us a great chance to win in every game we played.

Julie Rath #16, Co-Captain Women’s Team
  • Sophomore
  • Major: Practical Nursing
  • Position: Sweeper
  • High School: Transfer from University of South Dakota, Div. II
  • Hometown: Apple Valley, Minn.

Rath customarily played midfield, but volunteered to play sweeper, bolstering our defense with her experience and superb play.

Golden Boot Award

This award is bestowed on the most prolific scorers on the men and women’s teams.

Amanda Olsen #12
  • Freshman
  • Major: Exercise and Sport Science
  • Position: Forward
  • High School: Park
  • Hometown: Cottage Grove, Minn.
  • NJCAA Div. I All-American Honorable Mention
  • 2009 NSCAA Women’s NCAA Division I Junior College All-Central Region

A blazing speedster, Olsen racked up an amazing 28 goals and 10 assists for 66 points in only 16 games.

Rodrigo Galvan #10
  • Freshman
  • Major: Undecided
  • Position: Midfielder
  • High School: Humboldt
  • Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.

Usually the most dangerous player on the field, Galvan compiled 13 goals with 14 assists for 40 points in 19 games.

Most Improved Player Award

Both squads featured players who made the most dramatic improvements in play from preseason to the playoffs—and this award recognizes this very important achievement.

Emmanuel Olinga #25
  • Freshman
  • Major: Undecided
  • Position:Fullback
  • High School: Watkins Mill
  • Hometown: Gaithersburg, Md.

Already a physical presence on the field, Olinga ramped up his play all season long, becoming the aggressive stopper who anchored center defense.

Anna Woerle #13
  • Freshman
  • Major: Exercise and Sport Science
  • Position: Fullback
  • High School: Meadow Creek Christian
  • Hometown: Coon Rapids, Minn.

Woerle increased her contributions on the field throughout the year, becoming a dependable defensive force who also managed to score four goals, including a spectacular 45-yard free kick during the regional finals.

Rookie of the Year Award

This award goes to the player on each team who stepped up and blew away all expectations.

Ana Brewster #7
  • Freshman
  • Major: Exercise and Sport Science
  • Position: Forward
  • High School: Eagan
  • Hometown: Eagan, Minn.

Growing into a formidable and reliable competitor, Brewster is set to make an even bigger impact next season.

Darren Glenn #18
  • Freshman
  • Major: Exercise and Sport Science
  • Position: Fullback
  • High School: Eau Claire Memorial
  • Hometown: Eau Claire, Wis.

Loaded with talent but untested, Glenn quickly excelled to become a proven 90-minute player.

Also recognized for their exemplary leadership roles were:
Brooke Eggen #17
  • Co-captain of the women’s team
  • ICCAC Region XI 2009 All-Region Women’s Soccer Second-Team
  • Totaled up 16 goals with 8  assists for 40 points in 21 games as a forward
Moses Kabogoza #4
  • Co-captain of the men’s team
  • ICCAC Region XI 2009 All-Region Men’s Soccer Honorable Mention
Chad Dorrian #19
  • Co-captain of the men’s team
  • ICCAC Region XI 2009 All-Region Men’s Soccer Second-Team