GVSU’s Jenny Shaba and Kayla Kimble Named 2013 GLIAC Women’s Soccer “Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year,” Respectively

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  BAY CITY, Mich. — Grand Valley State University senior forward Jenny Shaba (West Bloomfield, Mich./Walled Lake Western) was named the 2013 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference  (GLIAC) women’s soccer “Offensive Player of the Year,” while GVSU senior defender Kayla Kimble  (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) was named “Defensive Player of the Year” in balloting conducted by the league’s coaches.

     Grand Valley State senior goalie Abbey Miller (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage) was named the  league’s “Goal Keeper of the Year,” while Northern Michigan University forward Paula Hafner (Malmo, Sweden / Malmo Borgarskola) was honored with the league’s  “Freshman of the Year”  award. Dave DiIanni, who guided Grand Valley State to its ninth-straight GLIAC Championship, earned “Coach of the Year” accolades.
 
     Shaba finished in third or better among all GLIAC players in six offensive categories this sea son. The West Bloomfield, Michigan native led the conference in shots (84), tied for the most points (27) and was tied for second in goals (10) and assists (7). Four of her goals were game-winning tallies.
 
     Kimble was the focal point of a dominant backline that allowed just one  goal  all season and posted 17 shutouts. She also helped the Lakers blank 13  consecutive opponents, which is the second longest streak in NCAA Division II  history. Thanks in large part to Kimble’s efforts, the GVSU defense held   opposing teams to a miniscule five shots per game. She notched a    game-winning goal and an assist as well.
 
       Miller led the nation in save percentage (.976) and goals-against average ( .062) en route to becoming the GLIAC’s first “Goalkeeper of the Year”.  She  only surrendered one goal in 18 starts this season and at one point played 1,228:08 consecutive  scoreless minutes, which is the second longest run in NCAA Division II history. The Saginaw, Michigan product finished the 2013 campaign with 13 solo shutouts.
 
    Hafner closed out the 2013 season leading her team across the board. She scored eight goals after starting all 18 games in her first season. Hafner’s first career goal came against Lake Erie   (Sept. 22), and added a s econd goal in the game to help NMU to a 3-0 win. She  recorded 52 total shots, including 29 on goal for a .558 shots  on goal   percentage and 23 points. Out of the 14 other NMU goals  scored on the  season,  Hafner assisted on seven of them, tying for second in the GLIAC on assists.
 
      DiIanni led the Lakers to their ninth consecutive GLIAC regular season title   with a perfect 12-0 mark in league play. Grand Valley State posted a 17-0-1 overall record and was ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA Top 25 poll for eight straight weeks in DiIanni’s 11th season at the helm. This is the fifth time he has won the award.

     The complete list of the 2013 All-GLIAC women's soccer teams and postseason awards is located below: