Auika Muragin, a Kaua‘i High School graduate, is one of four members of the Southern Oregon women’s soccer team named to the Cascade Conference All-Conference team, while Mariko Strickland of Anahola was one of three Long Beach State soccer players
Auika Muragin, a Kaua‘i High School graduate, is one of four members of the Southern Oregon women’s soccer team named to the Cascade Conference All-Conference team, while Mariko Strickland of Anahola was one of three Long Beach State soccer players to earn Big West Conference awards.
Southern Oregon sophomore Muragin was the lone Raider to earn First Team All-Conference honors, yesterday.
The Raiders finished its season 9-10 overall and 7-3 in Cascade Conference play and advanced to the conference semifinals for the first time in program history.
Muragin, of Koloa, was a key factor in the SOU defense that recorded six shutouts during the season. She also had two assists and six shots on goal.
“Auika adjusted really well to her change in roles this year,” said Jon Clement, SOU head coach. “She gave us a threat going forward from the back and also gave us a dynamic aerial presence.”
In the 2007 season, Muragin played in 17 games, starting in 15. She finished the seson with four goals on 26 shots on goal.
SOU freshman Katie Griffith, sophomore Chelsie O’Neill and freshman Stacy Hamer were the other Raiders earning All-Conference honors.
Strickland, a senior at Long Beach State, earned her first career award after being named to the all-BWC first team along with teammate Sara Baca.
The Long Beach State women’s soccer team claimed three of the six major BWC awards and placed a league-high six student-athletes to first-team honors, the BWC office announced Wednesday.
Strickland, who tallied three assists in two games in the BWC Tournament, finished the regular season with two goals and six assists.
Joining her in honors were senior Liz Ramos, who was named Goalkeeper of the Year, sophomore Lindsay Bullock who earned Midfielder of the Year and Mauricio Ingrassia who collected his first Coach of the Year award.
Strickland, Baca, Hayley Bolt and Kim Silos were named to the all-BWC first team.
In the 2007 season, Strickland started 19 of 20 matches at the midfield.
On Sept. 23, Strickland marked her first goal against North Texas, and added conference goals against UC Riverside in Long Beach State’s 1-0 win.
Prior to playing for Long Beach State, Strickland played two seasons at San Diego State in 2005-2006, appearing in 43 total games with 37 starts. Strickland was a two-time Mountain West All-Academic team selection before moving to Long Beach State.
Her high school career was at Mid Pacific Institute where she was a four-year letter winner in soccer where she was named a team captain during her senior year.
During her junior year, Strickland was named the Most Inspirational Female Athlete and was also a finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award in 2004.
She is the daughter of Sue and Greg Strickland and is majoring in kinesiology.
