The Baker University men’s and women’s soccer team respectively had one of their best seasons in school history, and that did not go unnoticed on the national level.
Baker set a school record with five players being selected as NAIA all-Americans.
Sophomore Matt Bickley and junior Nate Byarlay were the two players from the men’s team to receive the honor.
“I mean, it has been an incredible season for our team and for me personally,” Byarlay said. “It is a huge honor to represent Baker and it is really a testament to my teammates and how well they played, too, and the coaches and all that stuff. It was an incredible season.”
Byarlay was a mainstay on the Wildcats’ defensive backline, but also came through on the offensive end when BU needed it most when he scored the game-winning goal in the Sweet 16 against Huston-Tillotson University.
The defensive effort given by Byarlay and his fellow defenders on the backline are part of the reason why Bickley believed he was selected as an all-American.
“It is really cool to be a part of this special program” Bickley said. “It is a great group of guys and is a lot of fun being a part of a team that is so successful and played so well together.”
For Bickley, the achievement also ranked as his most honorable accomplishment in his soccer career.
“I definitely think that this is probably the highlight of my soccer career so far,” Bickley said. “I’ve never gone this far in a national tournament before. Compared to the state championships in high school, this a bigger feeling and means a lot more to me.”
While Bickley and Byarlay were critical components of the 20-2-1 season that resulted in a Fab Four appearance for the men’s team, the BU women’s team also had three players recognized as all-Americans on its Elite Eight team.
Junior Maggie Dupes, Baker Orange Staff Member Jordan Dolbin and senior Alix Schiraldi received the distinguished honor for leading the team to a regular season conference title, a conference tournament championship and a deep run into the national tournament for the second consecutive year.
“You know, really this is huge for me,” Schiraldi said. “I’ve been working really hard to get to that goal and honestly, I was shocked when I heard it, but I was very proud. I was just glad that my hard work paid off, and not only that, but our team did well altogether. I could not have got it without the help of my teammates.”
After Schiraldi was named as the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, the all-American recognition was a surprise to her.
“I would have to say that this is probably the top honor I have received throughout my career,” Schiraldi said. “I thought that winning the Co-Offensive Player of the Year for the conference was going to be the highest, but then I heard I was an all-American, and I was really taken back. It’s pretty amazing and I couldn’t be more grateful.”