ARLINGTON, Texas - The Western Athletic Conference announced its All-WAC women's soccer teams and major awards as selected by the league's 10 head coaches. Grand Canyon’s Gianna Gourley was named WAC Offensive Player of the Year, while Seattle U’s Kait Raffensperger and Utah Valley’s Sydney Bushman earned WAC Co-Defensive Players of the Year honors. California Baptist’s Noa Schumacher captured Goalkeeper of the Year and Seattle U’s Kassidy Kirgan brought home WAC Freshman of the Year. Kristen St. Clair of California Baptist was selected as the WAC Coach of the Year.
 
Gourley, a senior forward, led Grand Canyon and all players in the WAC with 18 goals and 41 points over 19 matches. Gourley is currently ranked third in the nation in total goals and goals per game (0.95). She scored eight goals and three assists for 19 points in conference play. Gourley had a season-high three goals against CSU Bakerfield on August 27, recording her third career hat trick.
 
Raffensperger, a junior defender, helped anchor the Redhawks defense that recorded nine shutouts this season. Raffensperger and the Seattle U’s defense only allowed five goals during WAC play and 18 overall. She recorded a total of two goals in the regular season, including the game winner against Abilene Christian on October 5.
 
Bushman, a senior defender, helped lead a defensive front that secured the WAC regular season title for the second consecutive year. Bushman and the Wolverine defense only allowed three goals in conference play. She recorded four goals, two assists and 10 points over 17 matches, picking up seven clean sheets.
 
Schumacher, a redshirt senior goalkeeper, led California Baptist to its longest unbeaten streak in program history with 15. Schumacher ranked first in the WAC in shutouts (8), goals against average (0.61) and save percentage (.855). In 18 matches, she only allowed a total of 11 goals. Schumacher recorded a season-high nine saves against Grand Canyon on October 7.
 
Kirgan, a freshman goalkeeper, played a crucial role in the Redhawks success during the 2023 season. Starting in all 18 games, Kirgan was third in the WAC in goals against average with 1.09 and fourth in save percentage (.766). She had a total of nine shutouts on the season, ending WAC play with a four-match shutout streak. Kirgan only allowed five goals during conference play.
 
St. Clair earned her first WAC Coach of the Year honor after guiding the Lancers to an 11-1-6 overall record and a 6-0-3 conference slate to secure the number two seed in the WAC tournament. The Lancers have a .778 winning percentage this season, which is the second highest for St. Clair’s tenure as head coach.
 
2023 WAC Women’s Soccer Awards
 
2023 WAC Offensive Player of the Year 
Gianna Gourley, Sr., F, Grand Canyon 
 
2023 WAC Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Kait Raffensperger, Jr, Seattle U 
Sydney Bushman, Sr., Utah Valley 
 
2023 WAC Goalkeeper of the Year
Noa Schumacher, R-Sr., California Baptist 
 
2023 WAC Freshman of the Year
Kassidy Kirgan, GK, Seattle U 
 
2023 WAC Coach of the Year
Kristen St. Clair, California Baptist 
 
2023 All-WAC First Team  
Noa Schumacher, R-Sr., GK, California Baptist 
Taylor Summit, R-Jr., D, California Baptist 
Aleisha Ganief, Jr., D, Grand Canyon 
Kait Raffensperger, Jr., D, Seattle U 
Sydney Bushman, Sr., D, Utah Valley 
Leah Pirro, R-So., MF, Grand Canyon 
AJ Loera, So., MF, Grand Canyon 
Heather Stainbrook, Sr., MF, Utah Valley 
Chayse Thorn, Jr., F, Abilene Christian 
Gianna Gourley, Sr., F, Grand Canyon 
Faith Webber, Jr., F, Utah Valley 
 
2023 All-WAC Second Team  
DeAira Jackson, Jr., GK, Grand Canyon
Jana Heinen, Jr., D, California Baptist 
Gracie Knutzen, Sr., D, Utah Tech 
Jenna Shepherd Gremillion, R-Sr., D, Utah Valley 
Jayden Ramirez, R-Jr., MF, California Baptist 
Lourdes Bosch, R-Sr., MF, California Baptist 
Jourdyn Curran, Jr., MF, Seattle U 
Kailee Wilson, Fr. MF, Seattle U
Mayu Yamamoto, Jr., MF, Southern Utah 
Kaylee Hauck, So., F, California Baptist 
Caroline Penner, So., F, Seattle U 
Brynlee Rider, Sr., F, Utah Tech 
 
2023 WAC All-Freshman Team 
Kassidy Kirgan, Fr., GK, Seattle U 
Elle Young, D, Utah Valley
Katie Piburn, MF, Seattle U
Ava Shannon, MF, Stephen F. Austin 
Madison Hamm, MF, Grand Canyon 
Kailee Wilson, MF, Seattle U 
Linnea Eld, MF, UTRGV
Ashley Garcia, MF, Utah Valley 
Ella Rusick, F, Utah Tech 
Sadie Beardall, F, Utah Valley 
Nixan Jackson, F, Utah Valley 
 
Others Receiving All-WAC Votes 
Kassidy Kirgan, Fr., GK, Seattle U 
CJ Graham, Sr., GK, Utah Valley 
McCarly Holloman, So., D, Abilene Christian 
Baylie Simon, Fr., D, Abilene Christian 
Sidney Roberts, R-Jr., D, Grand Canyon 
Jenna Grider, Fr., D, Southern Utah 
Michelle Rodriguez, Fr., D, Utah Tech 
Elle Young, Fr., D, Utah Valley 
Emily Garbett, Jr., MF, Utah Tech 
Tessa Thornton, Jr., MF, Utah Tech 
Bekah Valdez, Sr., F, Grand Canyon 
Ruby Hladek, So., F, Utah Valley