Sobol earns NSCAA All-America, three others named All-Region

ORANGE, Calif. – Junior M Val Sobol became just the second women's soccer player in school history to earn All-America honors, having been selected to the Division III third team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

In addition, Sobol and sophomore GK Marissa Fehrman were each named to the NSCAA All-West Region first team, along with senior D Carly Sanchez (second team) and sophomore  F Rebeccah Bortz (third team). It's the first time in four years the Panthers have been represented on the All-Region squad and the first time since 2003 Chapman has had four players earn the award.

Sobol played a large role in Chapman's success in 2012, leading the team in goals (10) and total points (25) and helping the Panthers to a 16-6-1 record and a SCIAC Tournament championship. Sobol also came within one game winning goal of the school record with six game-winners this season – ranking 19th in the country in that category.

She is currently in ninth place all-time in school history with 60 career points. Sobol is Chapman's first NSCAA All-American since Sara Struhs in 2000.

Fehrman also earned first team All-Region honors after the sophomore led the SCIAC in saves percentage (.876) and ranked second in the conference in goals-against average (0.56). She ranked in the top-25 in Division III in both of those categories as well. She posted eight shutouts and a 15-4-1 record in goal.

Meanwhile, Sanchez was named to the second team after leading the Chapman defense to 12 team shutouts and playing nearly 2,000 minutes in the backfield. And Bortz tied Sobol for the team lead with 10 goals and added four assists to merit third team honors.

The NSCAA administers an annual awards and recognition program which includes Coach of the Year, All-America, long-term service and special recognition awards designed to recognize excellence in soccer, academics and service to the game.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

NSCAA All-America & All-Region Teams: http://www.nscaa.com/awards/2012-award-central

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