Paige Madden

The College of Wooster women's soccer team's defense ranked third in the league in goals allowed (0.89 per game) this season, and the performance on that half of the field was rewarded Thursday as two defenders and two midfielders were named to the All-North Coast Athletic Conference Team, announced the NCAC office.

Leading the way was defender Paige Madden as a first-team pick, fellow senior Kyrsten Kamlowsky, a midfielder, was second-team, and sophomore midfielder Lauren Hancher and sophomore defender Rachael Davis received honorable mention.

Madden, a first-time postseason award winner, was the cornerstone of a backfield that limited opponent's offensive opportunities, as the Fighting Scots yielded less than nine shots per game (8.94). That was especially important this year with three first-years rotating in at the goalkeeper position. With Madden regularly clearing the ball out, Wooster held the opposition to zero goals (6) or one (8) in 14 of 18 matches. The senior closes her career with 62 games played (45 starts).

Kamlowsky bounced back from a serious knee injury that cut her junior year short and finished with her best season, earning postseason recognition for the first time. She helped the NCAC's No. 3 defense by winning possession in the middle of the field, and frequently took the team's free kicks as well as corner kicks. Offensively, Kamlowsky contributed a career-high four points on one goal and two assists, as she wrapped up her stat line with 65 games played, 37 starts, and seven points (2 goals, 3 assists).

Hancher, the Scots' lone repeat selection on the All-NCAC Team (honorable mention as a freshman), also excelled at helping Wooster gain and maintain possession, especially with her ability to head the ball. She finished as the team's fourth-leading scorer with eight points coming on three goals, two of which were converted penalty kicks, and two assists. Hancher is currently preparing for basketball season, as she is expected to be a key player for that team as well.

Davis, one of two Scots to start in all 18 matches this fall, primarily held down the right back position. In addition to playing a key role in the team's 0.83 goals against average, she successfully executed throw-ins on a regular basis, and got involved offensively, scoring her first career goal. A two-year starter, Davis is the only player to have seen action in all 37 of Wooster's matches the last two seasons.

Wooster was involved in a series of close matches throughout 2013, as 12 of its matches were one-goal affairs (8) or ties (4). Overall, the Scots had an 8-6-4 record and placed sixth in the NCAC (3-2-3).