AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - Junior forward Rachel Bender (Massillon/Jackson) headlines the Baldwin Wallace University women's soccer All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections after being named OAC Co-Forward of the Year and earning her third straight first-team selection.
Along with Bender, senior midfielder Anna Poptic (Dublin/Jerome) was named to the second team while senior defender Lauren Haynam (Minerva) earned an honorable mention selection.
Bender earned her third straight first-team selection and her first career Forward of the Year honor after leading the OAC in most offensive categories. She led the Yellow Jackets and the conference in goals (16), points (40) and shots (115) while also finishing second in the OAC with her team-leading eight assists. For her career, Bender has appeared in 64 games and has tallied 46 goals and 21 assists for 113 points, ranking second in school history in career goals scored and points scored and fifth in career assists. She was also named to the 2017 OAC All-Tournament Team. The communications disorders and psychology double major, Dean's List student and Jacket Scholar earned her third varsity letter this fall.
Poptic garnered her third-straight second-team honor after finishing her senior season with a career-high tying three goals for six points, including two game-winners, all in the same week. For her career, Poptic appeared in 78 games and scored 12 goals and added seven assists for 31 points. The chemistry and public health double major, Dean's List student and Jacket Scholar earned her fourth varsity letter this fall.
Haynam earned her first accolade this season with an honorable mention selection. She had her best season as a collegian offensively, recording a career-high two goals and added two assists for a career-high six points. A mainstay at defense for her entire career, Haynam appeared in 85 games and recorded four goals and six points for 14 points while helping the Yellow Jacket to a 1.13 goals against average over the past four years. The accounting and finance double major, Dean's List student and Jacket Scholar earned her fourth varsity letter this fall.
BW finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 11-8-1 and a 4-4-1 mark in the OAC, advancing to the conference tournament for the fifth consecutive season.
