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BYU’s Walbruch, Kesler named first team All-Big 12 in women’s soccer

By BYU Sports Information - | Nov 4, 2025
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BYU's Ellie Walbruch celebrates after scoring a goal in the Blue-White Game at South Field on Saturday, August 2, 2025.
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BYU's Lucy Kessler, right, kicks the ball during a women's college soccer match against No. 4 UCLA on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.

IRVING, Texas — The BYU women’s soccer team had six players honored by the Big 12 for season awards, the conference announced Tuesday morning.

Ellie Walbruch and Lucy Kesler were named to the All-Big 12 First Team, Izzi Stratton and Presley Freeman represented BYU’s backline on the All-Big 12 Second Team and freshmen Mia Goettsche and Mia Lopez earned spots on the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team.

After being sidelined all of last year due to an ACL injury, Walbruch led the Cougars in goals (13), shots (71) and shots on goal (34) this year. Seven of those goals came during Big 12 regular season play, with her first-ever hat trick coming against Arizona. She earned her first-ever Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week award following her hat trick. Walbruch also tallied one assist this season. Before her injury, Walbruch was named to the 2023 All-Big 12 Second Team.

After earning Big 12 All-Freshman Team recognition last season, Kesler earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team after an impressive year for the Cougars. Besides two games that she missed for a training camp with the USYNT, Kesler started every game for BYU in the midfield. She tallied two goals, two assists and 24 shots this season.

Earning her first Defensive Player of the Week award of the season this week, Stratton has been named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. After missing the 2024 season while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stratton played in 16 games this season. With significant minutes on the pitch in the center back position, Stratton was key in leading her team and earning six shutouts through regular season play.

Freeman has earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team after a year of firsts. The Atlanta, Georgia native has played in 40-consecutive games for BYU, dating back to the start of the 2024 season. She is the only player on the BYU roster to have started and played every game the last two seasons. This year, Freeman scored her first collegiate goals, notching two on the season. She also added three assists on the year.

Earning her first-career start against UVU early in the season, Goettsche became an integral part of BYU’s offense and was named to the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team. Playing in all 19 games so far and starting in 10, Goettsche recorded four goals and three assists. She also earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors twice this season.

Lopez joined teammate Goettsche on the All-Big 12 All-Freshman Team after starting in every game for BYU this season. Just behind Walbruch, Lopez tallied six goals and 30 shots on the year, earning two Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors herself.

For a full listing of All-Big 12 Women’s Soccer, go to https://big12sports.com/news/2025/11/4/2025-all-big-12-soccer-awards-announced.aspx

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