March 13, 2017
Family and friends of the San José State women's soccer team together with the coaches and staff celebrated the 2016 season with an end-of-year banquet and alumni match this past weekend.Head coach Lauren Hanson emceed the Friday night banquet which consisted of dinner, a variety of videos recapping the 2016 season, speeches from players and coaches and the presentation of this year's player awards.After leading the team with eight goals and 21 points, the players voted Dorthe Hoppius as the most valuable offensive player. It is the second year in a row that Hoppius was voted offensive MVP.Defender Myia Wilkes was selected most valuable defensive player. The junior was part of a backline which held a top-30 ranking in the country for shutouts during the early stages of the season. She helped anchor the line which consisted of just three players for the majority of the year.Joining Wilkes on the backline was Kristen Amarikwa who was voted rookie of the year. Amarikwa, from Bakersfield, Calif., started every single match of her freshman season as a center back.Seniors Carley McBeath and Stephanie Rebagliati were voted most inspirational players. Alexis Venegas took home the Coaches' Award which is given to a player who demonstrates inspiration on and off the field as well as consistency. Venegas was second on the team with seven goals in 2016.Yaritza Arista was picked as the most improved player from the beginning of the year. The Mountain West coaches were on the same page about Arista when they voted her to the All-Newcomer Team prior to the championship tournament.After celebrating the past year on Friday night, the Spartans celebrated the future on Saturday by playing the annual alumni match on the new SJSU Soccer Field. San José State begins playing home games on the new field beginning next fall.