It鈥檚 been a week of accolades for the Quest University Kermodes women鈥檚 soccer team.
Last week, the Pacific Western Athletic Association handed out its annual awards, honouring several members of the team in the process.
Coach Craig Smith was picked as the Pacwest鈥檚 Coach of the Year, though he was quick to share the honour.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a credit to the players, the players got me that,鈥� he said.
For much of the season, Smith had to manage with a short bench, something that proved to be a challenge for his side, right down to the end.
鈥淲e only had 15 or 16 players this year,鈥� he said.聽
鈥淭hey were amazing.鈥�
Smith also credited the work of his assistant coaches throughout the campaign. The Kermodes finished the regular season with a record of 7-6-2 for 23 points and third place.
Among individual player honours, defender Natalie Douglas and midfielder Katelyn Zell were picked for the conference all-star team, the latter despite missing significant time during the season. 鈥淪he was probably injured half the year,鈥� Smith said.
Meanwhile, newcomer Kelsey Green was chosen Pacwest Women鈥檚 Rookie of the Year.
On the weekend, the Kermodes finished the playoffs with a 2-0 win over Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles to take the tournament bronze.
At the Pacwest Final Four at Burnaby Lake Turf on Friday, Quest dropped its semi-final 1-0 to the defending Vancouver Island University Mariners. The former champs ended up losing to Douglas College in the final.
鈥淚 think their nerves just caught up with them,鈥� Smith said of his players.
VIU scored early in the match and held on while the Kermodes stepped up pressure on the Mariner keeper as the clock wore down, but they could not break through to tie the score. Even in the semi-final loss, Quest鈥檚 Gabby Villasenor was named the player of the game.
The loss put them in line for the showdown with Kwantlen for the bronze medal the following day. This time, the Kermodes came out ahead, edging their opponents 2-0 with two goals from Villasenor, who was ultimately chosen as the top forward for the tournament.
Smith credited her for 鈥渓eading by example,鈥� although he added the win was the result of a good overall effort from his team.聽
