The Blackburn College men’s and women’s soccer teams celebrated past achievements from not just this season but also from decades ago at their annual banquet held at Renos Pizza Banquet Hall. The jam packed banquet hall of over 130 Blackburn players, alumni, and friends of the program heard stories from current men’s coach Rob Steinkuehler and women’s coach Tim Gould about this past season. But what made the night truly special were the appearances of Blackburn soccer alumni who were honored and spoke during the banquet.
The soccer programs began the night by introducing each of their teams. Coach Steinkuehler then introduced the two recipients of the Blackburn Soccer Distinguished Alumni Award. Don Woelfel graduated from Blackburn College in 1972 and returned to his alma mater Bethalto Civic Memorial High School. Woelfel started the soccer program upon his arrival and remained at the helm for 36 seasons. Sara Hermanson graduated from Blackburn College in 2010 and afterwards graduated from the University of Illinois in Veterinary Medicine. She is currently a veterinarian at Forest South Animal Hospital.
Blackburn Head Men's Coach Rob Steinkuehler and Don Woelfel
Two new awards were established. The Amie Rengel and Tom Beaver Awards are to honor each program’s leading goal scorer. These two alums are the all-time leading scorers in the programs histories. Rengel scored 60 career goals while Beaver accumulated 68 goals. On the women’s side freshman Meghan Sykora garnered the initial Amie Rengel Award. In 2014 Sykora led the Beavers with ten goals. On the men’s side freshman Jake Pope received the Tom Beaver Award. In 2014 Pope led the Beavers with nine goals.
Rengel Award Winner Meghan Sykora with Amie Rengel
Tom Beaver Award winner Jake Pope with Tom Beaver
Each program recognized a player who made an immediate impact in his or her first year with the program. Freshman goalkeeper Nicole Kelly was recognized as the women’s soccer Newcomer of the Year. Kelly started every match and led the SLIAC in both saves and save percentage. Twice she was recognized as SLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, and she earned 2nd team all-conference honors. Freshman defender Brandon Smith was recognized as the men’s soccer Newcomer of the Year. Smith started all 19 matches and was a consistent force on the backline. He routinely was matched against the opponent’s top offensive threat and helped limit goal scoring opportunities.
Newcomer of the Year winner Nicole Kelly with Coach Gould
Newcomer of the Year winner Brandon Smith with Coach Steinkuehler
Junior Kristin Naples was recognized as the Most Improved Player on the women’s team. Naples was a consistent starter in the midfield and scored a game winning goal at MacMurray in overtime. Freshman Lucas Rinderer and senior Dylan Parkin shared Most Improved Player on the men’s side. Rinderer scored six goals and assisted on two others. Parkin scored one goal and assisted on two additional goals.
Most Improved Player Kristin Naples with Coach Gould
Most Improved Player Dylan Parkin with Coach Steinkuehler
Most Improved Player Lucas Rinderer with Coach Steinkuehler
Reno’s Pizza sponsored the Player of the Year awards. Senior Alexis Richie was the recipient for the women’s program. Richie was named 2nd team all-SLIAC and was a defensive force for the team which allowed only 25 goals during the season. Senior Julian Valencia was the recipient for the men’s program. Valencia totaled three goals and two assists while playing most of his minutes in the backfield.
Alexis Richie with Reno's Pizza owner Reno Lentini
Julian Valencia with Reno's Pizza owner Reno Lentini
The evening finished with the introduction of Gene Baker, Blackburn College’s all-time winningest coach. Baker entertained the crowd with stories of his former teams affection for Steinkuehler and Gould and the successes of former soccer players both athletically and academically. The Gene Baker Award signifies the player on each team that represents the program in a positive manner though sportsmanship, leadership, and competitiveness. Sophomore Jourdin McFarland was the women’s recipient while senior Shane Rogers was the men’s recipient. As a Granite City High School graduate, Rogers tied the award together nicely as Baker led that school to multiple state championships before his arrival at Blackburn.
Jourdin McFarland with Gene Baker
Shane Rogers with Gene Baker
First Year Men's Players
Second Year Men's Players
Third Year Men's Players
Fourth Year Men's Players with Coach Steinkuehler