ROSEMONT – The Big Ten Conference recognized six Illini soccer players on Friday as the league announced its 2018 All-Big Ten women's soccer teams and individual award winners. Illini senior Katie Murray and juniors Alicia Barker and Jaelyn Cunningham were recognized as All-Big Ten Second Team honorees, while freshmen Makena Silber and Ashley Cathro earned All-Freshman honors. Senior Lauren Ciesla received the league's Sportsmanship Award.
Illinois' three All-Big Ten selections by the Illini marks the most since 2011 when Jenna Carosio (First Team), Vanessa DiBernardo (First Team) and Marissa Mykines (Second Team) each earned All-Conference honors. The two Big Ten All-Freshmen Team members are the most since Abby Elinsky and Nicole Breece were each recognized in 2012.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Murray leads Illinois in goals and points this season, netting seven goals on the year while racking up 17 points. A staple in the Illinois midfield, Murray has also added three assists on the year. She is credited with two game-winning goals, helping Illinois to a 1-0 victory over Michigan State and a 3-1 win over Purdue. Murray was a standout in Illinois' 8-0 victory over Northern Illinois, as she tallied six points by carding two goals and two assists, including the assist on Kelly Maday's game-winning goal. The All-Big Ten Second-Team Midfield recognition marks the first for Murray in her career.
Also earning her first-career All-Big Ten recognition, Barker was named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Second Team. She has anchored Illinois' defense this season, starting in all 18 games to date. A calm but strong presence on Illinois' back line, Barker has helped Illinois to seven shutouts this season.
Another strong presence on the Illinois' defense, goalkeeper Jaelyn Cunningham has started in all 18 matches this season. She has racked up 62 saves on the year and six shutouts. Cunningham ranks sixth in the Big Ten for her total saves and seventh in the league for her 3.4 saves per game. The 62 saves this season brings Cunningham's career total to 171 saves, which ranks seventh all-time at Illinois. The All-Big Ten Second Team honor marks the first conference recognition for the Reynoldsburg, Ohio, native.
An All-Freshman Team selection, Silber made an immediate impact for the Orange and Blue this season as she scored her first-career goal in a 2-1 victory over the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils. She is among team leaders with five goals this season, and also leads Illinois with her 42 shots on the year. The Crystal Lake, Illinois, native, has put more than 47-percent of her shots on goal this season in 15 starts.
Joining Silber on the All-Freshman team, Cathro has been an important component to the Illinois defense throughout the season, starting in 17 of 18 of her appearances in the Orange and Blue. She dished her first-career assist in an 8-0 victory over Northern Illinois and has fired two shots this year.
Illinois Sportsmanship Honoree, Ciesla has played in 15 games so far this season, and 51 career appearances, for the Orange and Blue. She is active in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and has served as the SAAC President during her time at Illinois. The student-athletes chosen for the Sportsmanship Award are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Murray, Barker, Cunningham, Silber, Cathro, Ciesla and the Illini are set to take on Wisconsin in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament on Sunday at 12 p.m. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois soccer.
