Olivet College’s Leon named MIAA MVP for women’s soccer

Essen joins her on All-MIAA first-team

FREELAND, Mich. – Olivet College senior forward Isabelle Leon has been named the 2017 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Women's Soccer Most Valuable Player. In addition, junior Emma Essen joins her in earning first-team All-MIAA honors. All-league honors are based on a player's statistics during the 16-game conference schedule.

Under the leadership of first-year head coach Sarah Maracani, the Comets finished the regular season with a 13-6 overall record, including a second-place finish in the MIAA standings with an 11-5 mark. The 11 MIAA wins were the most in school history for a season, while the 13 overall wins ties for the third-most.

"I am extremely proud of this entire team," said Maracani. "The work ethic by everyone this year got them to be in the position where they are. It has been a record breaking season and I could not be more proud of these girls."

In the 16 MIAA games, Leon led the league with nine assists, and was second with 15 goals and 39 points. She was also second in game-winning goals (five) and total shots attempted (63). Leon tallied a single-game scoring high seven points (three goals and one assist) in a 4-0 win at Albion College. She is the first women's soccer player in school history to be named both the MIAA MVP as well as a three-time first-team All-MIAA selection.

"Isabelle has always been a crucial part of this team, but especially this year," said Maracani. "She stepped up tremendously when we needed her to the most. Isabelle is someone you can look up to on and off of the field, she just does things the right way. From her goals to her assists, she did it all which earned her the MVP award and I am very proud of her."

Essen was right behind Leon in goals (11), assists (seven) and points (29). She was fourth in game-winning goals (three) and seventh in shots attempted (50). Essen's single-game scoring high was four points (two goals) in a 2-1 win at Trine (Ind.) University.

"Emma is also an important part of this team," said Maracani. "She is one of the hardest workers you will ever see and she was very deserving of a first-team honor. I am also very proud of her!"

The Comets are playing Adrian College in the semifinals of the 2017 MIAA Tournament. The game started at 3:30 p.m.