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ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio soccer coach Aaron Rodgers was voted Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year, and four Bobcat players were selected to either the All-MAC First or Second teams, the conference announced today (Nov. 4). Defender Olivia Sensky and goalkeeper Sam Wexell were All-MAC First Team selections, while midfielder Haley Miller and forward Abby Townsend were voted to the All-MAC Second Team. 

"Honestly, I'm surrounded by wonderful people," said Rodgers. "It's nice to be recognized. But it really is down to who you surround yourself with. It's truly a staff honor. And I couldn't do it without them. Great players, and great teams, make good coaches. These players have been amazing fighting for each other and being unselfish and serving each other. It's made it such a pleasure and a privilege to be able to be around them and coach them every day. It's just a lot of fun to be around them and it's easy to go to work."

Rodgers helped lead the Bobcats to their best regular season winning percentage (.694) since the 2002 season, along with Ohio's highest win total in conference matches (7) since 2006. Ohio began conference play with nine straight games without a loss, en route to finishing the regular season in second place in the MAC, earning a first round bye in the MAC Tournament and advancing straight to the semifinal round. 
 
Sensky, a senior defender, helped anchor an Ohio defensive backline that allowed just six goals during conference play. She played nearly every single minute during the season, providing a steady presence for the Bobcats defensively, and being recognized as a MAC Defensive Player of the Week. She also scored two goals this season, both off free kicks. This is her first selection to an All-MAC team, after earning All-Academic the previous two years and an All-Freshman nod in her first year as a Bobcat. 
 
"It just shows how strong defensively we've been this year," said Rodgers. "Olivia has been such a big part of this program for four years in the backline. And she totally deserves this recognition"
 
Wexell, the senior goalkeeper, started every game this season and led the team in minutes, playing all but 11 minutes possible. Alongside this All-MAC First Team selection, she earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice during the season. She logged the second-most shutouts in a season with 10, just one shy of tying the school record of 11, set back in 1998. Wexell made a total of 55 saves this season, and finished with a goals allowed/game average of 0.75.
 
"Sam's journey as a goalkeeper here has been phenomenal and it's such an unbelievable story," Rodgers explained. "And for her to have such patience, and resilience, and commitment to being as good as she can be, and more importantly being the best team that she can be is such a tribute to her and to her work ethic."
 
Miller, a senior midfielder, earns her first All-MAC recognition with her selection to the All-MAC Second Team this season. She started and played in all 18 matches this season. Miller finished with the second-most goals scored for the Bobcats with four, including a game winner. She took 42 total shots, with 19 of those being on goal, a shot-on-goal rate of 45.2%. 
 
"Hailey definitely had a wonderful season," said Rodgers. "She's had amazing resilience in her career from dealing with injuries early on in her career. And to stay resilient and to come back and keep fighting and dedicated, it's a wonderful honor for her."
 
Townsend showed once again why she's regarded as such an offensive threat for the Bobcats this season. The senior forward played in 15 games this season, scoring two goals, including a game winner, while also recording three assists. Townsend also led the team in both shots taken and shots on goal. This All-MAC Second Team selection joins her list of accolades that include MAC All-Freshman, Academic All-MAC, All-Mac First Team, All-Midwest Region Third Team, and MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete recognition.
 
"Abby is such a dynamic player and is always somebody that that people are going to have to gameplan against," explained Rodgers. "It's wonderful to see them represented and I know that they're proud. It's nice to have those individual recognition but I know they're all amazing team players and you know they do whatever they can to make this team better."
 
The Bobcats start postseason play on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 4) in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament. Ohio will take on third-seeded Kent State at 7 p.m., with the game being broadcast on ESPN+. 
 
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