Mikalya O'Brien Named WAC Goalkeeper of the Year Amidst Nine Postseason Awards for CBU
11/4/2025 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ARLINGTON, TX--- The Western Athletic Conference announced the 2025 Postseason Conference Awards on Tuesday afternoon and cited Mikayla O'Brien as the WAC Goalkeeper of the Year. Additionally, the California Baptist women's soccer program took home eight other awards and had at least two Lancers named to all levels of awards.
Head Coach Kristen St. Clair's legacy of award-winning goalkeepers continues on this season in O'Brien, as she joins former CBU goalkeepers Noa Schumacher and Romy Salvador as first-team honorees. The senior goalkeeper posted five shutout matches during conference play while averaging four saves every game this season. O'Brien was also named WAC Goalkeeper of the Week four times this season for her stellar performance between the posts. The major award marks the first of her career and the second of its kind for the program in the Division I Era.
Joining O'Brien on the All-WAC First Team are Ava Westlund, Summer Allen, and Anja Jestrovic. Westlund had a stellar conference performance with five goals and three assists, striking two game-winners for the Lancers this season. It's no surprise the WAC Preseason Defender of the Year joins the list as well, as Allen held down the backline with discipline and high soccer IQ for five conference shutouts. Rounding out the first team is newcomer Jestrovic, who came to life during conference play for the Lancers and netted four goals while contributing six assists this season. Four Lancers named to the All-WAC First Team is the most in a single season in program history.
Jessica Ramirez and Katrina Marsh were named to the All-WAC Second Team for their efforts in the midfield. Ramirez opened the season with the first goal and picked up an assist through conference play, while Marsh held down the defensive third for the Lancers to help the backline stave off attacks. Lastly, Kandace Koerth and Mikaela Burchell were named to the All-WAC Freshmen Team as new standouts. Koerth was consistently one of the first off the bench for St. Clair and contributed to the attack for the Lancers, generating fresh ideas on fresh legs. Burchell stepped up immensely for the CBU backline and totalled over 550 minutes as an outside back.
The nine total awards are the most in a single season for the California Baptist women's soccer program during the Division I Era, marking yet another historic season for the Lancers.
"I'm really proud of our team for representing CBU well this fall as we competed for the regular season WAC championship. Athletes, coaches and fans know that individual awards are a byproduct of the team success. I'm happy for our players to be recognized for their impact and performances in our team success. Disappointed not to see multi-year all conference honoree Kaylee Hauck listed, certainly believe her play over the course of the season warrants her addition. Our team is proud of our all conference selections and looking forward to competing in the WAC Semifinal game tomorrow," remarked St. Clair.
CBU will continue its season on Wednesday afternoon as it kicks off the WAC Tournament in Orem, Utah, at 2 p.m. Pacific Standard Time against three-seed Utah Tech.
