NEW ORLEANS - Ashlynn Kulha was named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Emily Bredek earned Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year for the second-straight year to highlight Old Dominion Women’s Soccer on the all-conference team, as announced by the league’s head coaches on Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, Kulha, a sophomore from Holly Springs, N.C. along with Bredek, a senior from Huntington Beach, Ca. were selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team. This is the first time Kulha has been named to an All-Conference Team, Bredek has now been named to the first team for the second consecutive year.
“We are thrilled that some of our players have received individual recognition. For us it’s always about the team but nice that the conference has seen what we see every day in these players,” ODU Head Coach Angie Hind said. “For us Ashlyn is undoubtedly the best defender in this league and her consistent level of performance this year has been incredibly impressive. She has been a huge part of a young back line for us that has racked up another great year of nine shutouts. She has been a leader in the back line. Emily missed a few games with injury earlier this year but has came back so strong and again proved just how respected she is; her composure and shot-stopping ability is fantastic and we are delighted for her to be named GK of the year for the second consecutive year. This is so impressive.”
Rhea Kijowski, a forward from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and Andrea Balcazar Algarin, a midfielder from Mexico City, Mexico were selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team.
“Rhea has been simply immense for us this year and led the line not only with goals but with her work-rate and winning mentality. To score 10 goals in this conference is a really difficult thing to do. She has been incredible and we are all so happy for her,” Hind said. “We are delighted that Andy Has received recognition for the talent she is and what she brings to ODU and this conference. as a midfielder she helps us tick and her level of performance this year has been so impressive.”
Both Bredek and Kulha helped ODU rank first in the SBC for goals allowed (8), goals against average (.80) and clean sheets (5).
Bredek logged 945 minutes and allowed eight goals, recording 33 saves, a .805 save percentage, with four clean sheets in all competitions to help secure a 7-3 overall record. She was named SBC Defensive Player of the Week on August 27.
Kulha has started all 18 games on defense for ODU and played every minute this season while only receiving two yellow cards throughout. She was named SBC Defensive Player of the Week on October 1.
Kijowski ranks second in the SBC for shots and shots on goal, third in goals scored, goals per game, and points. She has 10 goals and one assist this season while taking 54 shots, 34 on goal for a .556 shot on goal percentage. Kijowski scored four goals that gave ODU the edge in wins against Longwood, Georgia Southern, Texas State and App State. This is the first time she has been awarded to an All-Sun Belt Conference Team in her ODU career.
Algarin was influential for ODU, playing in all 17 games, taking 21 shots with nine on goal for a .429 shot on goal percentage. She recorded one goal and three assists for five points this season. Algarin has previously been nominated to the SBC All-Tournament Team twice but this is the first time she has been awarded to an All-Sun Belt Conference Team.
Old Dominion enters the 2024 Sun Belt Tournament in Foley, Alabama as the fourth seed and will play on Monday, November 4 at 7:00 pm eastern against Georgia State.
2024 Sun Belt Women's Soccer Awards
Player of the Year: Ginny Lackey, James Madison (Fr., F, Manchester, England)
Offensive Player of the Year: Irene Campo, South Alabama (So., M, Santander, Spain)
Defensive Player of the Year: Ashlynn, Kulha, Old Dominion (So., D, Holly Springs, N.C.)
Goalkeeper of the Year: Emily Bredek, Old Dominion (Sr., GK, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Newcomer of the Year: Kaylie Smith, Texas State (So., M, Corpus Christi, Texas)
Freshman of the Year: Ginny Lackey, James Madison (Fr., F, Manchester, England)
Coach of the Year: Joshua Walters, Sr., James Madison (7th Season)
All-Sun Belt Conference First Team
F – Aaliyah Faddoul, Georgia State (So., Ontario, Canada)
F – Ginny Lackey, James Madison (Fr., Manchester, England)
F – Mady Soumare, Texas State (Jr., Paris, France)
F – Izzi Wood, App State (Gr., Hickory, N.C.)
M – Irene Campo, South Alabama (So., Santander, Spain)
M – Mara Grutkamp, ULM (Sr., Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany)
M – Lexi Vanderlinden, James Madison (R-Sr., Seminole, Fla.)
D – Ashlynn Kulha, Old Dominion (So., Holly Springs, N.C.)
D – Kate Nicolson, South Alabama (Sr., Stirling, Scotland)
D – Jordan Yang, James Madison (Jr., Clifton, Va.)
GK – Emily Bredek, Old Dominion (Sr., Huntington Beach, Calif.)
All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team
F – Eleanor Ashton, Coastal Carolina (Fr., Manchester, England)
F – Amanda Attanasi, James Madison (Sr., Washington Township, N.J.)
F – Rhea Kijowski, Old Dominion (Sr., Waynesburg, Pa.)
M – Andrea Balcazar Algarin, Old Dominion (Jr., Mexico City, Mexico)
M – Smith Cathey, Georgia Southern (Sr., Madison, Ga.)
M – Ellie Garrison, App State (Fr., Trinity, N.C.)
M – Adaira Nakano, Southern Miss (Sr., Ontario, Canada)
D – Kennley Bradley, Texas State (Sr., Ogden, Utah)
D – Claire Casey, Georgia Southern (Fr., Williamston, Mich.)
D – Jamie Swartz, James Madison (Jr., Palmyra, Pa.)
GK – Katelyn Chrisman, Texas State (Sr., Belton, Texas)