Wheaton, Ill. – Seven members of the Wheaton women's soccer team were named to the 2021 All-CCIW Women's Soccer Team, as announced by the conference on Tuesday afternoon. Wheaton senior Lauren Ketchum was named the CCIW Defensive Player of the Year and interim head coach Cesar  Gomez was named the CCIW Coach of the Year.

Gomez, appointed as Wheaton's interim head coach in June following the retirement of Pete Felske, was voted as the 2021 CCIW Coach of the Year by the league's coaches. He guided Wheaton to a share of its conference record 22nd CCIW Women's Soccer Championship this season. Wheaton tied Illinois Wesleyan for first place in the CCIW this season with identical 7-1 records in conference. The Thunder hold the No. 1 seed in this week's CCIW Tournament by virtue of a 2-1 victory against Illinois Wesleyan on October 9.

Ketchum, a senior goalkeeper for the Thunder, is the second Wheaton player to earn the CCIW Defensive Player of the Year award since it began in 2018. She joins her former teammate, Sarah Tomich (2018 and 2019) as the only players to win the award in the three seasons it has been presented. Ketchum is a First Team All-CCIW honoree this season, earning Second Team honors in 2019. Ketchum has a 1.21 goals against average in net for the Thunder this season, starting all 18 matches for the Thunder. She has allowed 22 goals in 1,631 minutes in net, making 102 saves. In Wheaton's eight CCIW matches, Ketchum allowed just six goals with a 0.76 goals against average. She worked 712 minutes in league play this season, with four total shutouts and 37 shots to her credit.

Ketchum is joined on the All-CCIW First Team by Izzy McNally, Audrey Sexson (PICTURED LEFT), and Mia Blair. Wheaton's Second Team honorees this year are Grace Hermanson, Tori Seeland and Morgan Beamer.

Blair (PICTURED RIGHT) and Sexson represent the Wheaton midfield as First Team All-CCIW selections. Sexson, a sophomore, has played in all 18 matches for the Thunder this season with three goals and two assists. She scored three of her goals, with one assist in Wheaton's eight CCIW contests. Blair, a Thunder freshman, has three goals with two assists in her debut season to earn First Team All-CCIW accolades. In seven CCIW matches Blair tallied one goal, a game-winning goal, with two assists to her credit.

McNally (PICTURED LEFT), an anchor for the Thunder defense is a First Team honoree this year following Second Team accolades in 2019. Fellow defenders Beamer and Tori Seeland join McNally as All-Conference honorees as they earn Second Team recognition. McNally has one goal and an assist this year. Beamer has distributed four assists in 18 matches this year. The trio of defenders key a Wheaton defense that has four shutouts this year, all in CCIW play. Wheaton has allowed 23 goals in 18 matches this year and an average of seven shots on goal per match. The Thunder held CCIW foes to just six goals in conference matches and just 5.5 shots on goal per match for league opponents against the Thunder. 

Hermanson (PICTURED RIGHT), a forward for the Thunder, picked up Second Team honors. Hermanson leads Wheaton with eight goals this season, including three game-winning goals. She started all eight CCIW matches for the Thunder in 2021 with six goals in conference play, including two game-winning goals. 

Sophie Lindquist was named Wheaton's honoree of the CCIW's RESPECT Award. At the conclusion of every sports season, each varsity program will recognize one student-athlete as their RESPECT Award honoree. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.