IRVING, Texas — The BYU women’s soccer team had six players honored by the Big 12 for season awards, the conference announced Tuesday morning.
Ellie Walbruch and Lucy Kesler were named to the All-Big 12 First Team, Izzi Stratton and Presley Freeman represented BYU's backline on the All-Big 12 Second Team and freshmen Mia Goettsche and Mia Lopez earned spots on the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team.
After being sidelined all of last year due to an ACL injury, Walbruch led the Cougars in goals (13), shots (71) and shots on goal (34) this year. Seven of those goals came during Big 12 regular season play, with her first-ever hat trick coming against Arizona. She earned her first-ever Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award following her hat trick. Walbruch also tallied one assist this season. Before her injury, Walbruch was named to the 2023 All-Big 12 Second Team.
After earning Big 12 All-Freshman Team recognition last season, Kesler earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team after an impressive year for the Cougars. Besides two games that she missed for a training camp with the USYNT, Kesler started every game for BYU in the midfield. She tallied two goals, two assists and 24 shots this season.
Earning her first Defensive Player of the Week award of the season this week, Stratton has been named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. After missing the 2024 season while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stratton played in 16 games this season. With significant minutes on the pitch in the center back position, Stratton was key in leading her team and earning six shutouts through regular season play.
Freeman has earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team after a year of firsts. The Atlanta, Georgia native has played in 40-consecutive games for BYU, dating back to the start of the 2024 season. She is the only player on the BYU roster to have started and played every game the last two seasons. This year, Freeman scored her first collegiate goals, notching two on the season. She also added three assists on the year.
Earning her first-career start against UVU early in the season, Goettsche became an integral part of BYU’s offense and was named to the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team. Playing in all 19 games so far and starting in 10, Goettsche recorded four goals and three assists. She also earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors twice this season.
Lopez joined teammate Goettsche on the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team after starting in every game for BYU this season. Just behind Walbruch, Lopez tallied six goals and 30 shots on the year, earning two Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors herself.
2025 All-Big 12 Awards
Forward of the Year: Hope Leyba, Colorado
Midfielder of the Year: Tyler Isgrig, Baylor
Defender of the Year: Macy Blackburn, Texas Tech
Goalkeeper of the Year: Jordan Nytes, Colorado
Freshman of the Year: Kamdyn Fuller, TCU
Coach of the Year: Eric Bell
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Jordan Nytes, Colorado, Caroline Castans, Kansas and Seven Castain, TCU
First Team
GK Azul Alvarez, Baylor
GK Jordan Nytes, Colorado
D Faith Leyba, Colorado
D Caroline Castans, Kansas
D Morgan Brown, TCU
D Cameron Patton, TCU
D Kylie Bahr, Texas Tech
D Macy Blackburn, Texas Tech
MF Tyler Isgrig, Baylor*
MF Lusy Kesler, BYU
MF Jace Holley, Colorado
MF Sydney Becerra, TCU
MF Kamdyn Fuller, TCU
MF Sam Courtwright, Texas Tech
MF Peyton Parsons, Texas Tech
F Ellie Walbruch, BYU
F Liz Worden, UCF
F Hope Leyba, Colorado*
F Lexi Watts, Kansas
F Seven Castain, TCU*
F Taylor Zdrojewski, Texas Tech*
F Taylor White, West Virginia
Second Team
GK Genesis Perez Watson, UCF
GK Faith Nguyen, Texas Tech
D Hallie Augustyn, Baylor
D Presley Freeman, BYU
D Izzi Stratton, BYU
D Caley Swierenga, Colorado
D Grace Coppinger, TCU
D Eleanor Hays, Texas Tech
D Nyema Ingleton, West Virginia
MF Tatum Thomason, Arizona State
MF Honoka Hamano, UCF
MF Maria Tregansin, UCF
MF Jillian Gregorski, Kansas
MF Kate Langfelder, Kansas
MF Molly Skurcenski, Texas Tech
MF Anna Hauer, West Virginia
MF Maddie Levy, West Virginia
F Cameron Valladares, Arizona State
F Callie Conrad, Baylor
F Rajanah Reed, UCF
F Samira Minor, Houston
F AJ Hennessey, TCU
F Emma Yolinsky, TCU
All-Freshman Team
D/MF/F Addison Baltodano, Arizona State
MF Olivia Hess, Baylor
F/MF Mia Goettsche, BYU
MF Mia Lopez, BYU
MF Vivi Zacarias, Colorado
F Samira Minor, Houston
MF Kamdyn Fuller, TCU
F Grace Vest, TCU
F Emma Yolinsky, TCU*
F Raleigh Greason, Texas Tech
MF Ava Arnold, West Virginia
* unanimous selection