Long Beach State's Link named Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year

IRVINE - There will be no repeat conference championship for the Long Beach State women’s soccer team this year as the defending Big West Conference champions and last year’s NCAA quarterfinalist ended the 2012 campaign with a 5-4 record (12-7 overall)

Despite the finish, senior forward Nadia Link was named the Big West Conference offensive player of the year league office reported Wednesday.   Link also was named to her third all-Big West Conference first team, along with classmate Alex Balchar.  Junior Eileen Maes and senior Kelsey Wilson each garnered second-team honors, while senior Taylor Nelson received honorable mention.

In the 2012-2013 campaign, Link led the Big West Conference in shots (78), assists (6) and points (25).  She also tied for third in the conference in number of goals scored with eight.  Link also recorded at least a point in eight games, and scored a hat trick in a 3-2 win over North Texas.

In her four-year career, Link finished in the top five in school history in shots (208), goals (32), points (84) and assists (20).  Her career mark of 32 goals is one short of the school record held by Janet Fettig (33). She also tied for fourth in school history with 13 game-winning goals.

In addition to being named to her third all Big West Conference first team, Link was also named to the 2011 NCSAA First Team West honors, and the 2011 NCSAA Third Team All-American honors.

Freshmen Elizabeth Lyons and Hannah Sanders were named to the All Freshmen team.