Dec. 12, 2006

MILWAUKEE - Four Marquette women's soccer players were named to the Soccer Buzz Great Lakes All-Region Team announced by the magazine Tuesday. Junior forward Allison Mallams was named to the first team, senior defender Michelle Pitzl to the second team, sophomore defender Katie Kelly to the third team and redshirt freshman Michelle Compty was selected to the all-freshmen team.

"Not only is this great individual recognition, but for the team as a unit as well, " said associate head coach Frank Pelaez. "This just shows how well rounded the team is and for us to have one of each position on the first, second, third and all-freshmen team is a testament to the versatility of our team. Everyone of these players is deserving of the honors. Each of these players has a tremendous work rate on and off the field. We look forward to carrying this over to next season."

Mallams, a junior transfer from William Jewell, made a big impact her first season donning the blue and gold leading the team in goals and points. She was rewarded for her play with first team NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region and second team All-BIG EAST honors. Mallams tied the eighth best single season points mark with 24 on eight goals and eight assists. 11 of her 23 points were scored in the Golden Eagles opening weekend where she recorded two goals against Bowling Green and added two goals and three assists in a 9-0 win over Sacred Heart. She ranks in the top-10 of the BIG EAST in four offensive categories; game-winning goals (five, tie-fourth) points (24, eighth), goals (eight, tie-10th) and shots (2.57 per game, 10th). One of Mallams' golden goals came in double overtime to help Marquette defeat then no. 12 Connecticut, 1-0. She was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week following that performance.

Pitzl, a second team NSCAA All-Great Lakes and third team All-BIG EAST selection, has been an integral part of Marquette's backline in 2006 as she has started in every game for the season. The senior from Shoreview, Minn., helped the Golden Eagles to shutout 12 opponents, five in BIG EAST play, this season and has been a key reason why Marquette allowed just one goal in its last seven wins of the season. Pitzl was named to the Duke/adidas Classic All-Tournament Team and was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll following MU's win over then no. 12 Connecticut. Pitzl earned Soccer Buzz All-Great Lakes region third team honors following the 2005 season.

One of Marquette's most dangerous defenders, Katie Kelly, has started in all 23 matches this season marking 46 for her career. She was Marquette's secret weapon on offense dishing a team high eight assists for the season - third best single season total in school history. Kelly totaled 10 points in 2006 to rank her fourth on the team in scoring. She registered a helper in six games this season and a recorded two against Wis.-Green Bay on Oct. 17. She earned her first BIG EAST Defensive after assisting Meghan Connelly's goal and helping to shut out Cincinnati, 2-0, on Oct. 13, and served in the game-winning assist in a 1-0 win over Louisville. She followed those performances up with two assists against Green Bay and involved herself in both goals in a 2-1 win over St. John's scoring the gamewinner and assisting the other. For those performances she was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week for consecutive weeks. She was the only player in the conference to earn repeat defensive player of the week honors. This is Kelly's second postseason honor of her career by Soccer Buzz as she was an all-freshman team selection in 2005.

Compty turned from valuable reserve to starter nine games into the season. She earned her first start against then no. 12 Connecticut and started all but one game through the remainder of the season. Compty tallied seven points in 2006 scoring three goals and adding an assist. She had a multi-point outing against Wis.-Green Bay registering a goal and an assist. Despite only standing 5-4 feet high, Compty was a threat in the air with two of her three goals coming off her head.

Click here for a complete list of Soccer Buzz Regional Honorees