The achievement is having a pair of players earn All-American status for the first time since the founding of the program in 1996.

NMU sophomore Molly Pistorius was named a United Soccer Coaches Second Team member in NCAA Division II, while junior Maria Storm earned USC Third Team status. Both are midfielders.

The pair will be recognized at the United Soccer Coaches All-America ceremony and reception on Jan. 13 at the Anaheim, California, Convention Center in conjunction with the coaches group’s convention.

“This is a historic and proud day for the program,” Northern head coach Jon Sandoval said in a news release from NMU Sports Information announcing the honors. “We are ecstatic for Molly and Maria, as they are beyond deserving of this recognition, and we are beyond proud of them.

Northern Michigan University’s Maria Storm, right, and a Maryville player try to gain control of the ball during their NCAA Division II national tournament Midwest Regional game played at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Nov. 17. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

“On the surface, you see the statistics, the wins, the trophies; but it’s hard to measure the passion, dedication and drive that Molly and Maria bring. It’s an honor to be a part of their process.

“Molly and Maria would be the first to tell anyone that they don’t receive this recognition without being pushed by their fellow teammates daily. Iron sharpens iron, and this team helped shape and sharpen two of the best players in the country.”

While this is Pistorius’ first All-American Award, she has piled up other awards in her two years at NMU, including GLIAC Freshman of the Year in 2022. This season, she led the league with 10 goals and 24 points, adding another four goals in the postseason for a 14-goal, four-assist total, her goals the second-most in Northern women’s soccer history.

This fall, the Chicago resident was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year while earning spots on the USC All-Region First Team, GLIAC All-Tournament Team, All-GLIAC First Team and the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

Pistorius helped the Wildcats get off to a fast 6-0-1 start this fall by recording three-goal hat tricks in two of the team’s first three games.

Storm, a downstate Brighton resident, also packed her trophy case with honors this fall, including GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year.

She started every game for NMU and logged the second-most minutes of players in the field for the Wildcats, also making USC All-Region First Team, All-GLIAC First Team and GLIAC All-Tournament Team.

While a key defender for Northern, she also scored a pair of goals, both game winners.

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