SFCC women’s soccer players earn post season honors

 The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners soccer program just finished its most successful regular season in program history. SFCC ended the regular season ranked 19^th in the national poll. Several Lady Roadrunners earned postseason accolades from the coaches in Region 16 and the Missouri Community College Athletic Conference.

Defender Natalie Clarke of England earned First-Team All-Region 16 honors along with forward Briscia Zuniga of Houston, Texas. Defender Megan Toops of Sedalia and forward Sabra Moon of Sedalia were named to the Second-Team in Region 16.

Clarke, Zuniga, and Toops were named to the First-Team in the MCCAC. Second-Team honors went to Moon, defender Leah Overbay of Harrisonville, and midfielder Emily Bauer of Stover.

Clarke helped anchor a defense that only allowed four goals in the regular season. Clarke scored one goal on the season. The SFCC defense also did not concede a goal for three consecutive games and seven consecutive halves.

"Natalie Clarke was the best player in the best unit on our team," said Lady Roadrunners Soccer Head Coach Jaime Beltran. "Our team thrived on our defense throughout the regular season. Natalie was our organizer back there and our most experienced and best player on the backline. She was definitely worthy of her recognition."

Zuniga scored five goals and recorded four assists this season. Zuniga tied for the team lead in game-winning goals with two.

"Briscia Zuniga was our leading scorer," said Beltran. "She was pretty active up top and pressured the other team and did a good job of trying to win balls back for us. She was also a good shooter and a good finisher for us."

Toops was another key piece to the Lady Roadrunners defensive effort this season. Toops registered a goal and assist on the season. Toops converted her only penalty kick opportunity.

"Megan Toops was the other central defender in our backline," said Beltran. "Our backline was definitely our strongest unit. This is supported by how the coaches voted."

Moon contributed four goals and three assists this season. Moon also scored two game-winning goals.

"Sabra Moon is another player who has a good shot from the outside," said Beltran. "She is also another really good finisher."

Overbay contributed a goal and an assist on the season.

"Leah Overbay was the third of our four defenders to earn post season recognition," said Beltran. "Leah really came into her own this year. She made runs up and down the field and contributed for us both offensively and defensively."

Bauer also contributed a goal and an assist on the season.

"Emily Bauer was a really good addition to our midfield," said Beltran. "She was always calm and collected."

David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics