Former Bristol Eastern standouts Karly Martin and Myah Croze helped the Western Connecticut State University women’s soccer team have an amazing season, and they were rewarded for their efforts.
Martin, a senior, was named LEC Defensive Player of the Year and was first team All-LEC. She got there by posting an 18-1 record and a 0.44 goals against average and a .921 save percentage as of Nov. 10, when the awards were announced. Martin ranked third in save percentage in all of Division III, and she was 23rd in GAA. Her 93 saves were third-most in the LEC, and she allowed just eight goals.
Croze, a junior, was named LEC Offensive Player of the Year and was also first team All-LEC. Croze tallied a league-best 26 goals, plus seven assists, for 59 points. She had an LEC-best eight game-winning goals. At the time of the awards being announced, Croze was ranked second in Division III in goals and points, and third in game-winning goals.
Joining Martin and Croze among the award winners was Seymour’s Suzana Imetovski, the LEC Rookie of the Year and first team All-LEC selection, and Alex Harrison, the LEC Coach of the Year.
WCSU loses NCAA game
The Colonials were defeated by Franklin & Marshall College, 2-1, on Saturday in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Championships at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va.
Croze scored the lone goal for the Colonials and Martin made seven saves. Croze finished her final season as a Colonial with 27 goals, seven assists and 61 points.
WCSU, which was making its 15th appearance in the NCAA championships, finished a terrific season LEC regular season and tournament champions, and an 18-2 record.
