Waukesha Native Lesperance Earns Conference Honors at UW-Whitewater

2015 Nov 11

Marie Lesperance, a native of Waukesha, WI, and member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's soccer team, was one of six Warhawks to receive accolades from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for their performance during the 2015 season.

Five UW-Whitewater players were named First Team All-WIAC, highlighted by the second consecutive Offensive Player of the Year honor for Brianna Reid (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek). Reid is joined on the First Team by Carina Krausert (Delafield, Wis./Catholic Memorial), Marie Lesperance (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha South), Carly Pottle (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) and Mackenzie Serbousek (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Prairie). Morgan Beaty (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) was named as UW-Whitewater's representative on the All-Sportsmanship team.

This is the third time Reid, a junior forward, has been named to the WIAC's First Team, and the second year in a row for the Offensive Player of the Year nod. Reid has started all 21 games for the Warhawks this season. Against WIAC opponents Reid led the league in shots (33), shots per game (4.71) and game-winning goals (3). She also ranked in the top five in the league in points, points per game, goals, goals per game and assists.

Reid has tallied nine game-winning goals this season to lead the country. She recorded four of those game-winners in the first five games of the season. She also tallied her second career hat trick this year, scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes of an 8-0 win over North Park on September 9.

Meanwhile, Reid continues to chase history. Her 18 goals this season are the third most in a season in UW-W women's soccer history, and she is now tied for second with 45 career goals, 10 behind leader Emily Gerber (2008-11).

Carina Krausert (Delafield, Wis./Catholic Memorial), a first time All-WIAC pick, made the switch from forward to defender this season and it has paid off. Krausert and the Warhawks have recorded three shutouts against conference opponents and have given up just six goals in those seven league games. Head Coach Ryan Quamme calls on the lefty to take corner kicks from the right corner. She has tallied six assists this season while anchoring a solid backline.

Sophomore Marie Lesperance (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha South) earns All-WIAC honors for the first time in her career after starting every game for the Warhawks this season. Lesperance tallied half of her season goals and assists against conference opponents. Her most notable goal came in the WIAC tournament semifinal when she scored in the second overtime of a 1-0 victory over UW-La Crosse, a team that Warhawks had lost to nineteen days earlier.

For the second time in her career, junior Carly Pottle (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) earns First Team honors. Pottle ranks among the top five in the league in points, points per game, goals, goals per game, assists and assists per game. She has totaled ten goals this season to go along with three assists. Pottle has scored two game-winners this year, including a goal on a penalty kick in the second overtime of a 3-2 win over Loras.

Mackenzie Serbousek (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Prairie), a midfielder, is one of four freshmen on the All-WIAC First Team. Serbousek's play on both sides of the ball earned her the recognition. Not only has Serbousek tallied four goals and three assists so far this season, she also helps the Warhawks on defense. Many times this season Serbousek has been instrumental in keeping opponents out of the Warhawks defensive third.

Morgan Beaty (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) is one of the eight members of the All-Sportsmanship Team. Beaty tied for fifth in the league in both assists and assist per game. She exemplifies what it means to be a true good sport and team player.

This is the seventh year in a row that a UW-Whitewater women's soccer player has earned Player of the Year honors. Prior to 2011, only one player was picked, after that, one was picked for offense and defense. Emily Gerber won the award in 2009 and 2010 and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2011. Christina Tooren, Jenna Woodson (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) and Reid earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. The Warhawks swept the Player of the Year honors last season when Sarah Sedlar (Racine, Wis./Racine Case) earned Defensive Player of the Year honors as well.

UW-Whitewater finished third in the regular season league standings but won the conference tournament to earn the WIAC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament. UW-Whitewater will host the first two rounds of play on November 13 and 14 at Fiskum Field. The Warhawks will face Carroll University on Friday at 5:00 pm.

Lesperance is majoring in undeclared.