Three players from the State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners' soccer team received post-season honors with All-Region 16 awards.

Sophomore defender Karina Esquivel of Jefferson City, Missouri was named to the First-Team. Last year Esquivel earned Second-team honors. Freshman midfielder Ria Kessell of Jefferson City, Missouri was named to the First-Team. Freshman midfielder Hailie Acton of Fulton of Fulton, Missouri earned Second-Team in voting conducted by the Region coaches.

Esquivel started in all 15 games for SFCC. She scored one goal, while attempting 13 shots, eight of which were on target. Esquivel made her only penalty kick attempt of the season.

"Karina thrived when she adapted her play to a new position," said Beltran "In the fifth game of the season, we made a change to her position and it was a critical component to our winning streak."

Kessell started in all 15 games this season for SFCC. She contributed three goals, which placed her third on the team. She also registered three assists, which tied for second on the team. Kessell led her team in game-winning goals with three.

"Ria is one of the players that other teams don't want to play against, which is a compliment to her," said Beltran.

Acton started in all 15 games for SFCC. She registered one goal and three assists on the season. She attempted 21 shots, 10 of which were on target. Her assist total tied for second on the team.

"Hailie is truly versatile. She played every position on our team this year with the exception of goalkeeper," said Beltran. "Not only did she contribute, she found a lot of success all over the field."

The Lady Roadrunners won the Region 16 regular season championship and secured the number one seed in the Region 16 Tournament for the first time in the program. SFCC finished the season 6-9, breaking the record for the second year in a row for wins in a season.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics