Northern Michigan University’s Molly Pistorius, right, goes after the ball while pursued by Grand Valley State’s Nina Ferraro during their GLIAC women’s soccer game played at the NMU Soccer Field on Oct. 9 in Marquette. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — Highlighted by Molly Pistorius being named GLIAC Freshman of the Year, a half-dozen Northern Michigan University players have earned All-GLIAC women’s soccer awards, the league announced recently.

The six honorees is a record for the Wildcats as joining Pistorius are sophomore Brooke Pietila, junior Isabelle Brusilow, sophomore Justina L’Esperance, junior Gwen Kiilunen and junior Brenna Musser.

“(I’m) extremely proud of this group, this a huge accomplishment that they have rightfully earned,” NMU head coach Jon Sandoval said in an NMU announcement on the selections. “They are amongst some of our strongest competitors and work tirelessly on their craft…. They handle adversity and pressure with poise.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch their growth over the last year and look forward to seeing more of it during the conference tournament.”

Pistorius, a native of Park Ridge, Illinois, was also named to the GLIAC Second Team after finishing tied for third in the league with six assists, tied for ninth with five goals and also tied for ninth with 16 points. Each of those numbers were tops among league freshmen as Pistorius played in every NMU game and started all but one.

Pietila, a native of Brighton, was the lone Wildcat named to the GLIAC First Team after leading NMU with 18 points and tying for the team best with six assists and tied for second with six goals.

She was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week twice this fall and started all 19 Northern games this season, making her presence felt in the midfield as she contributed on both the offensive and defense ends, according to the NMU SI account.

Brusilow, from Grosse Pointe, made the league Second Team as she was capable of playing anywhere on the field, according to NMU SI, but made it difficult for opponents in particular while playing defense. She had a knack for turnovers and then getting the ball down field to her teammates. She had a pair of assists this season.

L’Esperance, from Howell, led NMU and is sixth in the GLIAC with seven goals despite missing four games as she was named to the conference Second Team.

She got off to a fast start, being named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for the season’s opening two weeks. Her presence created trouble for opponents, according to NMU SI, as she also had two assists and tied for second on the team with 16 points.

Kiilunen, from Brighton, made the GLIAC Second Team after starting all 19 games on defense. She is known for creating problems for attacking opponents, according to NMU SI, and has a natural instinct to get after the ball and turn over the opposing offense.

Musser, who is from Grand Rapids, made the league’s Honorable Mention list, playing in all 19 games and starting 18 as she was second for NMU with 17 points and tied for second with six goals.

She also has the ability to find her teammates, as she had a game with two assists and another with three.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.