Conference USA Release
BOCA RATON, Fla. – On Tuesday afternoon, Conference USA announced its superlative award winners and all-conference teams for the 2022 women’s soccer season. In its last season as a member of Conference USA, the Florida Atlantic women’s soccer team was well-represented on the honor roll with six Owls being named to seven total awards.
“We are excited about the C-USA recognition for our six student-athletes that was released today,” FAU head coach Patrick Baker said. “We have nine seniors this year, and to have five of them receive all-conference is pretty special, especially when it’s their last go around.”
Conference USA Midfielder of the Year:#80, Gi Krstec, Redshirt Senior, North Port Fla.
Krstec led the way for FAU by earning Conference USA Midfielder of the Year honors. Krstec, an FAU captain, has put forth a tremendous redshirt senior season to close out her established career. She becomes the first Owl to receive an All-Conference USA superlative award since Mary O’Hara was named to the same honor in 2019.
“I want to thank and express my gratitude to everyone who has been a part of my life during this journey,” Krstec said. “This is my last season of collegiate soccer, and this award is the cherry on top. I have been blessed with great teammates and a superb coaching staff, who are besides me always, and deserve a portion of this award. I am truly grateful for the sport of soccer and everything it has provided me.”
Krstec has scored a career-high five goals this season and added three assists for 13 points, also a career-high. Three of her goals have been game-winners, which is tied for first in all of C-USA while ranking tied for ninth in total goals. This season, she has played 1,443 minutes out of a possible 1,620, which is 89% of FAU’s total minutes.
“We are very proud of Gi as a person, player, student and leader,” FAU head coach Patrick Baker said. “She performs at such a high level and has added some key goals and assists to her game this year. Her energy level is a difference maker, and we have been blessed to have her at FAU.”
First Team All-Conference USA:#80,Gi Krstec, Midfielder, Redshirt Senior, North Port Fla. #7 Bri Austin, Forward, Graduate Student, Miami Fla. #21Amanda Martin, Defender, Senior, Miami, Fla.
Austin earns her first career all-conference honor after a standout season leading the FAU offense. Austin has scored a team-high seven goals this year which ties her for third in C-USA. Austin has added five assists for 19 points, and the 19 points place her third in the conference.
“I am honored to be named to First Team All-C-USA,” Austin said. “Without the hard work and dedication from my teammates every day in training, this award would not be possible. I thank my coaches for giving me the opportunity and guidance to assist my development throughout the year. Thank you to my family and friends for constantly supporting me through the highs and lows of this season. This team isn’t done yet. We will continue the hard work throughout the tournament, and God-willing, come home with a championship.”
Martin takes home her second consecutive First Team All-C-USA honor after another strong season leading the FAU defense. She has started in every game for FAU and has been a workhorse, playing a team-high 1,640 minutes out of a possible 1,710 which is 96% of FAU’s total minutes. Martin has anchored a defensive back line that has allowed only 16 goals in 19 games for a 0.84 goals against average to rank third in C-USA. In the last 18 games, the Owls have allowed only 12 goals, which translates to a .067 GAA.
“It is an honor to be named to the conference’s first team,” Martin said. “I can’t express my gratitude enough to my coaches and teammates for making my final year of collegiate competition one to remember. I am looking forward to continuing this last leg of this incredible journey with my team tomorrow!”
“To have Amanda, Gi and Bri be voted First Team is tremendous,” Baker said. “Their recognition as three of the top 11 players in C-USA is a credit to them and our program.”
Third Team All-Conference USA:#4Hailey Landrus, Defender, Senior, Andover, Minn. #20Thelma Hermannsdottir, Midfielder, Senior, Reykjavik, Iceland
Landrus receives her first career all-conference honor for a terrific season at back for FAU. Landrus, an FAU captain, has always been a solid defensive player for FAU, but this season she elevated her game to also become a playmaker on the offensive end. Landrus recorded a team-leading eight assists this year to tie for first in all of C-USA and shatter her career-high. She also tallied her first career goal, an Olimpico off a corner kick in the win over UTEP to record 10 points on the season. Landrus became FAU’s all-time minutes played leader this year, as she now currently has 7,141 minutes played throughout her career. She is also tied for third in FAU history in games played with 84.
“I’m grateful to receive third-team all-conference honors this season, and I’m honored to be a part of the FAU women’s soccer team,” Landrus said. “My teammates and coaching staff have contributed greatly to the success of individuals and the team as a whole, and I would like to give them just as much credit. The team is in such a great place, and I can’t wait to take on tournament with them.”
Hermannsdottir also earned her first career conference honor for a strong redshirt senior season. The senior midfielder scored a career-high five goals, which with an assist translated to another career-high of 11 points. She put forward a career night with a hat trick in the 6-0 win over UTEP to become FAU’s first hat trick in over three years. Hermannsdottir ranks second in FAU history in games played with 85, five back of 2021 graduate Sammy Vitols’ record of 90.
“Hailey and Thelma have had very productive falls, and we’re happy for them to close out their last season with deserved accolades,” Baker said. Making Third Team is a testament to them and their dedication.”
Freshman Team All-Conference USA:#3 Morgan McDonald, Midfielder, St. John’s, Fla.
McDonald lands on the all-freshman team after a solid first season for the Owls. The freshman midfielder has been a consistent contributor in FAU’s lineup during her freshman season. McDonald has played in all 19 games with 16 starts. She recorded her first career goal as the opening score in the 2-0 win over Charlotte, and McDonald also has two assists this year to tally four points.
“I’m honored to be recognized on the C-USA All-Freshman Team,” McDonald said. “My freshman season would not be the same without the support of this team. I’m proud of what we have done this year and we’re not done yet. I’m very excited for conference tournament with these girls and the years to come at FAU.”
“Morgan has been the lone freshman to start for us all fall, and making the All-Freshman team is a great accomplishment,” Baker said. “She has logged a lot of minutes this fall and has been a great addition to our team”
FAU will compete in the Conference USA Championship Tournament as the No. 5 seed. The Owls will take on the No. 4 seed in Louisiana Tech in the quarterfinals on Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m.
