Senior Shawna Gordon and juniors Nadia Link and Alex Balcer of the Long Beach State women’s soccer team were named to the 2011 NCAA Women’s Division I All-West Region Team as announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Gordon and Link both earned first-team honors, while Balcer was a second-team selection. Gordon, a three-time first-team All-Big West Conference pick, recently concluded a stellar four-year career with her best season as a 49er.
The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. native tied for first on the team with 10 assists and was third with seven goals. Gordon also established a single-game school record with four assists in a 6-0 win over Saint Mary’s.
For her efforts, she was tabbed the 2011 Big West Midfielder of the Year. Gordon has etched her name in the Long Beach State career record books with 24 assists (3rd), 58 points (6th) and 17 goals (T8th).
Gordon was a third-team All-West Region selection last year. Link (Rowland Heights, Calif.) garnered her first all-region honor after putting together one of the finest seasons in school history. The two-time first-team All-Big West selection amassed a conference leading 16 goals, 10 assists and 42 points. Her 16 goals tied LBSU’s 27-year old single-season school record.
Link is just the third 49er in school history, and first since the program was reinstated in 1998, to reach double figures in both goals and assists. She was rewarded for her performance as she was selected as the Big West Offensive Player of the Year. Link was also invited to the U.S. U-23 National Team camp in October.
Balcer (Tucson, Ariz.) earned her first all-region selection after anchoring a Long Beach State defense that posted a league-best 12 shutouts and 0.79 goals against average. The center back also finished the season with one goal and four assists.
She was tabbed the 2011 Big West Tournament MVP and received first-team All-Big West honors. The trio helped LBSU, which was ranked 14th in the final NSCAA poll, to a memorable season in 2011. The 49ers not only won their first NCAA Tournament game, but they advanced all the way to the Elite Eight, marking the first time a Big West team has made it to the quarterfinals. LBSU also claimed its second consecutive Big West Tournament title and established school records in wins (18), goals (49), assists (52) and points (150).
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