Nov. 3, 2009

Pocatello, ID--Idaho State had seven players named to Big Sky All-Conference Teams including two first team selections and four honorable mentions. Freshman midfielder Ashley Jones was named Newcomer of the Year. The selections were made by the Big Sky's eight head coaches in a vote Tuesday morning. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.

Freshman Jones was selected as the Newcomer of the Year by finishing third in the Big Sky Conference with 15 points. Jones posted two of her five goals in conference play, including a game-winner in Idaho State's 4-0 victory over Weber State to clinch a tournament appearance.

Over the season Jones also posted five assists tying for third in the conference with teammate Annamarie Hofstetter. Jones, the freshman midfielder, is the second Bengal in program history to be named Newcomer of the year as ISU's Ashley May was selected in 1999. Jones was also named to the All-Conference Second Team.

Senior Hofsetter was a unanimous selection for the First Team, her first career first team selection as she was named to the second team in 2006 and 2008. Hofstetter tied Jones in leading the Bengals with five goals and five assists for the season. The senior Midfielder posted three goals and three assists in conference play.

During the season she broke the Big Sky Conference all-time career assists record with 23 by serving up a corner kick to teammate Karissa Henage-Fisher who scored the goal off a header. Hofstetter has since improved the record to 25 career assists. She also leads the Bengals in shots with 37 and shots on goal with 21.

Junior Henage-Fisher was also named to the First Team earning her second straight selection. The defender anchored the backline for Idaho State by helping reduce Big Sky opponents to eight shots on goal. She also scored three goals for the Bengals including a game-winner over Utah State in ISU's 1-0 victory on the road to close the non-conference season.

Idaho State also received four Honorable Mention selections. Three defenders earned selections including senior Christina Beseris, junior Lauren Hough and freshman Morgan Olson helping ISU earn three shutouts and hold Big Sky opponents to eight shots on goal. Senior Kacey Ball was an Honorable Mention selection for the forward position.

The senior who was moved to the forward position after the sixth game of the year scored three goals and posted two assists. She leads the Bengals in shots with 37, tied with Hofstetter.