elevencomms
August 2, 2023
TAMPA, Fla. (Wednesday, August 2, 2023) – The USL W League today announced its 2023 Teams of the Year, which featured first-team all-league selection Sam Dewey and three additional selections. Dewey, who was also named the W League’s Central Conference Player of the Year, was joined by second-team all-league selections Nona Reason, Grace Bahr and Alia Martin. The four Indy Eleven placements were more than any other W League club in the country.
The Girls in Blue finished the season USL W League Champions, posting a 12-1-1 overall record. Indy Eleven won its division for the second consecutive season, only allowing three regular-season goals, while scoring 40.
The 16 goals scored in the June 30 match against St. Charles FC are a club record for Indy Eleven and the total and margin of victory were the most in league history. In 14 matches, Indy scored 3-plus goals seven times and shut out opponents on 10 occasions.
“I am very happy for all four ladies,” said Head Coach Paul Dolinsky. “Their individual contributions were so important in helping the team find the success it did, and I am happy to see them recognized for their efforts.”
Sam Dewey | Indianapolis
Dewey played in nine matches during the Eleven’s championship run, starting all of them. She shared the team lead with nine goals, including a hat trick in Indy’s record-breaking 16-0 win against St. Charles FC. The Indianapolis native also added an assist in the USL W League Semifinal victory over San Francisco Glens SC. Her insurance goal against Flint City AFC in the Central Conference Semifinal earned the No. 4 spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10.
Nona Reason | Noblesville, Ind.
Reason started all 10 matches played for the Girls in Blue only allowing five goals in 885 minutes of action and registering six clean sheets. In the Eleven’s four-match playoff run, Reason only allowed three goals in 390 minutes of action and posted a pair of shutouts.
Grace Bahr | Broadview Heights, Ohio
A mainstay on the backline for Indy, Bahr started all 13 matches played in 2023 and tallied three goals and a pair of assists. Bahr scored the match winner off a penalty kick in Indy’s conference semifinal winner against Flint City AFC and added goals against Kings Hammer FC and St. Charles FC.
Alia Martin | Carmel, Ind.
Scoring back-to-back match winners for Indy in the National Semifinal and Final, Martin was also named the MVP of the USL W League Final. She played in five matches, starting four, totaling 418 minutes of action in 2023.
“We are extremely proud of the achievements of not only these four individuals, but of the Indy Eleven W League team as a whole,” said Greg Stremlaw, Indy Eleven President and Chief Executive Officer. “To not only win the league’s Central Conference, but the overall W League Championship, is an amazing feat considering the talent across the W League’s 65 teams from coast to coast. The team has accomplished many things in its first two seasons, and we look forward to more as we continue to grow.”
First Team
GK: Bailey Herfurth – Tampa Bay United
D: Laurel Ansbrow – NC Courage U23
D: Tianna Harris – Minnesota Aurora FC
D: Elle Piper – SF Glens SC
M: Bella Gaetino – Flint City AFC
M: Mia Oliaro – NC Courage U23
M: Nia Christopher – Eagle FC
M: Katie Shea Collins – Tennessee SC
F: Sam Dewey – Indy Eleven
F: Baylee DeSmit – Christos FC
F: Nadia Gomes – SF Glens SC
Second Team
GK: Nona Reason – Indy Eleven
D: Madison Cox – Tampa Bay United
D: Carly Smith – Eagle FC
D: Grace Bahr – Indy Eleven
M: Hannah Adler – Minnesota Aurora FC
M: Kennedy Berschel – Chicago City SC
M: Alia Martin – Indy Eleven
M: Lauren Martinho – NC Courage U23
F: Claire Manning – Morris Elite
F: Mariah Lee – Oly Town FC
F: Giana Riley – Cal Storm
Originally posted on indyeleven.com