Head soccer coach Nate Houser has helped the Baker University men and women’s soccer teams to reach many firsts.
For the first time the women’s team made it to the Fab Four in the NAIA National Tournament during the 2010 season.
The men’s team was ranked No. 2 in the nation this season, the highest ranking the team has received.
Now, Houser is the first coach in the Heart of America Athletic Conference to win the HAAC Coach of the Year honor for the women’s and Co-Coach of the Year for the men’s soccer teams.
Seniors Alix Schiraldi and Maggie Dupes received honors as the HAAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.
All-HAAC first team members from the women’s team included Dupes, Schiraldi, Baker Orange staff member Jordan Dolbin and freshman Shelby Schiraldi.
Senior Skylar Baker was honored with a spot on the second team and senior Ashley Ukena received a place on the third team.
Sophomore Matt Bickley was named the HAAC Defensive Player of the Year for the men’s team.
Bickley, senior Tom Lowndes and juniors Nate Byarlay and Odaine Sinclair were named to the all-HAAC first team while junior Josh Rydberg was named to the second team and junior Nick Aguilar and sophomore Andy Griffin were named to the third team.
“I think when you win the conference it forces everyone to recognize the depth and the talent on each team,” Houser said.