OMAHA, Neb. - After finishing the 2009 season with a 5-10-3 overall record under first year head coach Erika True, four members of the Indiana State University women's soccer team have been named to the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference All-Conference team in a vote conducted by MVC head coaches.

Seniors Katlin Owens and Erin Bianchi, along with sophomore Seyma Erenli and freshman Kourtney Vassar all earned selections to the all-conference team after leading the Sycamores to a 2-3-1 record in conference play and the #5 seed in the MVC Tournament.

After leading the team in goals (6) and assists (4), senior Katlin Owens was named a second team all-conference performer for the 2009 season.  Owens was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week twice this past season, each time after the senior forward tallied a two-goal effort.  A native of Lewis Center, Ohio, Owens' 16 points in 2009 places her in fifth place for most points in a single season in Indiana State history.

"Katlin ended her four year tenure at Indiana State with a breakout senior season," said head coach True. "Her ability to single-handedly impact every game we played this year will be missed. She was the backbone of this team and it was great to see her awarded for her efforts this year."

Awards have been rolling in over the past few weeks for senior Erin Bianchi, who was named an honorable mention all-conference performer after scoring four goals and tallying one assist during the 2009 season.  Bianchi, who holds a perfect 4.0 GPA in Nursing, was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five First Team last week and is currently up for Academic All-America voting.  The Mansfield, Ohio, native saw her best single-game performance of the season come on the road against Valparaiso when she scored a pair of goals and added an assist to lead the Sycamores to a 3-3 draw.

"Erin earned every bit of her honorable mention award. Her effort, drive and determination is something that I wish I could put into everyone of my players," said head coach True. "Her leadership and ability to impact games when it is needed most will be missed next year."

Sophomore Seyma Erenli joins Bianchi as an honorable mention all-conference performer for the 2009 season after recording three goals and two assists last season.  Erenli started all 18 games last season for the Sycamores, placing third on the team in shots (31) and second on the team in shots on goal (14).  Erenli, out of Melbourne, Australia, was one of the Sycamores' most consistent performers during the season, controlling pace and possession throughout the center of the field in nearly every game.

"Seyma continued to get better and better throughout the season. She battled against the biggest and strongest midfielders in the conference and held her own in each of those games," said head coach True. "She has the ability to read the game so well and we are looking forward to her returning to the middle of the park for us next season."

Indiana State saw one newcomer make the MVC All-Freshman team in defender Kourtney Vassar.  The freshman was a consistent contributor in central defense for the Sycamores, missing just one game in 2009, while starting in the 17 other contests.  A native of Olathe, Kan., Vassar scored her first career goal on Sept. 30 against Wright State.

"Kourtney played this year like she was a veteran on this team. She grew with each game she played and dominated the defensive third of the field for us," said head coach True. "With her being named to the all-freshman team, I am sure that she will continue to be a name that will be tossed around on scouting reports over the next three years."

Although the Sycamores fell 3-1 to the #4 seed Drake Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tournament, Indiana State had many successes throughout the season.  The Sycamores earned the most MVC Player of the Week selections in one season in school history, earning four selections.  Owens earned two selections, along with one each from sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Nelson and freshman midfielder Casey Allbright.  Indiana State totaled three wins and two ties away from Memorial Stadium, their most road results in school history, tying the five results from the 2006 season.

Missouri State senior midfielder Samantha Aguilar was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Year, while Illinois State senior defender Danielle Mutters earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight season.  Creighton's Brittney Neumann was named the Freshman of Year with the Coaching Staff of the Year award going to Illinois State.