Oliphant Highlights Women's Soccer's MAAC Awards

Led by junior midfielder Emma Oliphant, a total of seven members of the Canisius women's soccer program were recognized on Monday as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced its annual awards.

Oliphant was the Golden Griffins lone member on the All-MAAC First Team selection in the midfield. Four players, junior Jordan Spencer (goalkeeper), sophomores Skylar Cornell (forward) and Meghan Heath (defense) and freshmen Jessica Whitaker (midfield) were tabbed All-MAAC Second Team honorees. Senior Sophie Chelini (defense) and sophomore Lizzy Harkness (midfield) were named to the All-MAAC Third Team.

Oliphant garnered All-MAAC First Team honors at the midfield position after being named to the All-MAAC Second Team last season. Her junior season saw her rank second on the squad in scoring with 12 points on four goals and four assists. The Burlington, Ontario, native led the team in shots (55) and shots on goal (24), and ranked fifth in MAAC in both. Oliphant also tied for eighth in the MAAC in assists and points.

Cornell earned All-MAAC Second Team accolades at the forward position as she paced the team in both goals (6) and points (12) during the regular season. The Bainbridge Township, Ohio, product was sixth in the MAAC in shots on goal per game (1.35) and was seventh in shot attempts per contest (2.65). Cornell also scored goals in back-to-back games multiple times for the first time in career against Iona (Oct. 1), Fairfield (Oct. 7), Marist (Oct. 21) and Niagara (Oc. 25).

Spencer was recognized on the All-MAAC Second Team at the goalkeeper position as she led the MAAC in shutouts (7) save percentage (.898) and goals against average (.504) during the regular season. The Oxford, Mich, product's season was highlighted by a scoreless streak of 477:08 that broke a modern era program record and featured five straight clean sheets. She made four or more saves in a game on five occasions this season, highlighted by a nine save effort at Binghamton (Aug. 20) and an eight save effort against Manhattan (Sept. 16).

Heath received All-MAAC Second Team distinction as a defender after being tabbed to the All-MAAC Third Team last season. As a sophomore she appeared in and started all 17 regular season games for the Griffs. A key part of the Canisius defense that allowed a league-low 12 goals against, Heath played nearly 1,500 minutes during the regular season, highlighted by 15 occasions where she played all 90 minutes. The Medina, Ohio, product also scored her first career goal against Manhattan (Oct. 16), and recorded career highs in shots (10) and shots on goal (4).

Whitaker was tabbed to the All-MAAC Second Team as a freshman. She is the only freshman Golden Griffin to be honored. The Darlington, England native scored the Griffs first goal of the season against Youngstown St. (Aug. 27) and went up from there. During her debut campaign she tallied two goals and three assists for seven points and started in all 17 regular season games, the only freshman to do so.

Harkness garnered All-MAAC Third Team honors at the midfield position for the second straight season. After a sophomore season that saw her start all 17 games during the regular season. The Bolton, England, native scored her first career goal against Mount St. Mary's (Oct. 14) and added two assists throughout the season. Harkness was credited with 14 shot attempts, with five tries on goal.

Chelini was recognized on the All-MAAC Third Team after her senior campaign. Another staple on the Golden Griffins back line that had the lowest goals against per game average in the MAAC with 0.71. The Ontario, N.Y. native started 16 of the 17 regular season games she appeared in tallying almost 1,400 minutes played in the regular season.

The MAAC also released the MAAC All-Academic Team where 13 Golden Griffins were honored.

Emily Brewer	Sophomore	Marketing
Sophie Chelini	Senior	Communications
Skylar Cornell	Sophomore	Animal Behavior and Ecology
Lizzy Harkness	Sophomore	Finance
Meghan Heath	Sophomore	Psychology
Maddy Ingraham	Junior	Biology
Jessica Jones	Senior	Political Science
Sophia Konstantinou	Junior	Special Education
Abby Molloy	Graduate	Health and Wellness
Emma Oliphant	Junior	Health and Wellness
Jordan Spencer	Junior	Animal Behavior and Ecology
Erin Weir	Junior	Health and Physical Education
Madeline Weltin	Junior	Biology

SUPPORT THE GRIFFS
Support the Canisius Women's Soccer team in conjunction with the "More Than A Game" campaign. Your donation to the Women's Soccer program helps our student-athletes continue to be champions in the community, in the classroom and in competition. To donate, CLICK HERE.

Like Canisius Athletics on Facebook
Follow @GoGriffs and @CanisiusWSOC on X (formally known as Twitter)
Follow @GoGriffs and @canisiuswsoccer on Instagram

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#22 Emily Brewer: M; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#15 Sophie Chelini: D; 5' 9"; Senior

#7 Skylar Cornell: M/F; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#8 Lizzy Harkness: M; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#17 Meghan Heath: D; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#11 Maddy Ingraham: M; 5' 7"; Junior

#1 Jessica Jones: GK; 5' 9"; Senior

#13 Sophia Konstantinou: D; 5' 4"; Junior

#12 Abby Molloy: D; 5' 6"; Graduate Student

#10 Emma Oliphant: M; 5' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#22 Emily Brewer
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: M

#15 Sophie Chelini
: 5' 9"; Senior
: D

#7 Skylar Cornell
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: M/F

#8 Lizzy Harkness
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: M

#17 Meghan Heath
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: D

#11 Maddy Ingraham
: 5' 7"; Junior
: M

#1 Jessica Jones
: 5' 9"; Senior
: GK

#13 Sophia Konstantinou
: 5' 4"; Junior
: D

#12 Abby Molloy
: 5' 6"; Graduate Student
: D

#10 Emma Oliphant
: 5' 2"; Junior
: M