Golden Bears Earn Four All-Conference Honors

SAN FRANCISCO – Taylor Comeau led the way with an All-Pac-12 Second Team selection as a trio of California women’s soccer players picked up four All-Conference honors for the Golden Bears, the Pac-12 announced Tuesday. Freshman Annia Mejia joined Comeau on the All-Conference team as an honorable mention selection, and was also named to the All-Freshman squad along with teammate Emily Boyd.

California matched a program-best with two newcomers on the All-Freshman team, and Mejia is the first freshman since Ifeoma Onumonu in 2012 to be recognized in the All-Pac-12 selections.

UCLA claimed four of the league’s top honors – Player of the Year (Sam Mewis), Defensive Player of the Year (Abby Dahlkemper), Goalkeeper of the Year (Katelyn Rowland) and Coach of the Year (Amanda Cromwell). Stanford’s Andi Sullivan is the Freshman/Newcomer of the Year.

This is Comeau’s first selection to an All-Pac-12 team in her four years as a staple in the Cal midfield. In her senior season, Comeau has skyrocketed to the top of the Cal leaderboard with a team-high eight goals and six assists for 22 points, including three game-winning goals and three equalizer goals this season.

“We are thrilled to see Taylor recognized as one of the best midfielders in the Pac-12 as she has been outstanding throughout her career at Cal,” said Golden Bear head coach Neil McGuire.

Mejia earned both a All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection and All-Freshman nod for her strong performance in Cal’s back line this season. The Golden Bear center back has started in 18 of her 20 appearances and even as a freshman has been a vocal leader for the Cal defense. She has also helped produce on the offensive side, tallying an assist on Samantha Witteman’s equalizer goal against then-No. 10 Santa Clara this year.

“Annia has been outstanding for us this season, showing maturity beyond her years in her starting role at center back,” McGuire said.

Boyd has been Cal’s rock in the net this season, appearing in all 20 games and contributing to seven shutouts, including four solo shutouts. She owns a 12-5-2 record in goal with 56 saves this season, allowing only 20 goals for a 1.01 goals against average.

“Emily had big shoes to fill replacing a four-year starter in goal and has handled it very well,” McGuire said. She has matured very nicely and will continue to grow in stature in her role.”

Cal finished the regular season 13-5-2 overall and fifth in the Pac-12 with a 5-4-2 conference record, reaching as high as No. 10 in the NSCAA national rankings. The Bears begin their postseason hunt this Saturday by hosting San Diego State in NCAA First Round action. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. on Goldman Field.

Pac-12 Conference Honors

Player of the Year: Sam Mewis (UCLA)

Defensive Player of the Year: Abby Dahlkemper (UCLA)

Freshman/Newcomer of the Year: Andi Sullivan (Stanford)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Katelyn Rowland (UCLA)

Coach of the Year: Amanda Cromwell (UCLA)

FIRST TEAM

* Two-time All-Pac-12 honoree (First Team)  

** Three-time All-Pac-12 honoree (First Team)  

*** Four-time All-Pac-12 honoree (First Team)

SECOND TEAM

Honorable Mention: Stephanie Amack (STAN, So., D); Gurveen Clair (WSU, RSr., GK); Alexandra Doller (ARIZ, Sr., F); Jamie Fink (USC, Jr., M); Laura Liedle (STAN, Jr., D); Annia Mejia (CAL, Fr., D); Aly Moon (ASU, Fr., M); Megan Oyster (UCLA, Sr., D); Bri Pugh (ORE, Sr., M); Abby Steele (ORE, Sr., GK).

FRESHMAN TEAM