COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Aztec women's soccer team tied a school record after having seven players earn All-Mountain West honors, the conference office announced Sunday morning. SDSU, who won the regular season conference championship, placed five players on the first team, two on the second team and had Denise Castro win Offensive Player of the Year.
Joining Castro on the first team was goalkeeper Alexa Madueno, midfielder Alexys Ocampo, midfielder Olivia Sekimoto and defender Kiera Utush. Forward Emma Gaines-Ramos and defender Grace Goins were selected to the second team. The seven total honorees matches the program record set in 2011.
Castro (San Ysidro, Calif.) led the Mountain West in overall points (26) and points in conference play (17). Her six goals in conference play is tied for the second most and she is tied for the MW-lead in assists with five. She also has three game-winning goals in conference play.
Ocampo (Upland, Calif.) started every game, had eight points in conference play and her four assists tied for the second most in the Mountain West.
Sekimoto (Chula Vista, Calif.) was a key piece off the bench for the Aztecs and scored three goals in conference play, including two against Wyoming where she also had an assist.
Utush (Rocklin, Calif.) played all but seven minutes in conference play and helped the Aztec defense hold opponents to just 11 goals across their 11 MW contests. She also totaled 11 points on five goals, two of which were game-winners. This is the third All-Mountain West honor for Utush after being named to the Second Team in each of the past two seasons.
Gaines-Ramos (San Diego, Calif.) started all 10 conference matches she appeared in and tallied 10 points on four goals and two assists. She was top 10 in the conference in both points and goals per game.
Goins (El Dorado Hills, Calif.), along with Utush, was key to SDSU's defensive success. Playing every minute, she helped the Aztecs post four shutouts in conference and hold opponents to 1.0 goal per game.
After winning their seventh Mountain West regular season championship, the Aztecs earned the No. 1 seed and a bye in the conference tournament. They will play the winner of No. 4 Colorado State and No. 5 Fresno State Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT in Laramie, Wyo.
2023 Mountain West Individual Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Denise Castro, Jr., F, San Diego State
Defensive Player of the Year: Kelsey Kaufusi, Sr., D, Utah State
Newcomer of the Year: Olivia Fout, So., F, Colorado State
Coach of the Year: Manny Martins, Utah State
2023 Mountain West Women's Soccer All-Conference First Team
Name Class Position Team
Kenzie MacMillan Jr. F Boise State
Jocelyn Stephens Sr. D Boise State
Olivia Fout So. F Colorado State
Denise Castro Jr. F San Diego State
Alexa Madueno Jr. GK San Diego State
Alexys Ocampo So. MF San Diego State
Olivia Sekimoto Jr. MF San Diego State
Kiera Utush Sr. D San Diego State
Sabrina Weinman Gr. MF San José State
Kaylie Chambers So. MF Utah State
Kelsey Kaufusi Sr. D Utah State
2023 Mountain West Women's Soccer All-Conference Second Team
Name Class Position Team
Mia Otero Jr. MF Air Force
Carly Cross Jr. F Boise State
Morgan Padour Sr. MF Boise State
Kaitlyn Abrams Gr. D Colorado State
Mia Casey Fr. MF Colorado State
Avery Vander Ven Jr. D Colorado State
Emily Rich Jr. F Nevada
Emma Gaines-Ramos Jr. F San Diego State
Grace Goins So. D San Diego State
Kylie Olsen Sr. D Utah State
Diera Walton Gr. GK Utah State
2023 Mountain West Women's Soccer All-Newcomer Team
Name Class Position Team
Ava Carpentier Fr. D Air Force
Addie Doyle Fr. F Air Force
Cindy Conner Fr. F Boise State
Mia Casey Fr. MF Colorado State
Sophia Coulombe Fr. F Colorado State
Olivia Fout So. F Colorado State
Avery Vander Ven Jr. MF Colorado State
Ally Larkin R-Fr. GK Nevada
Kennedy Mayo Jr. F San José State
Cassie Villanueva Fr. F UNLV
Summer Diamond Fr. MF Utah State