Senior Sophia Boman and graduate transfer Megan Nemec have been named to the All-Big Ten Third Team, while freshman Kate Childers has earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. Junior Elizabeth Overberg has been awarded the Sportsmanship Award.
Senior captain Sophia Boman has earned a place among the conference’s best players for the fourth consecutive season. Alongside Nemec, Boman was named to the third team after an impressive season in Minnesota’s midfield. Boman started the year by being named to the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch list. She scored her first career hat-trick against St. Thomas and recorded a season-high seven shots in Minnesota’s home opener against Niagara. Boman finished the year with five goals, the second most for the team, and led in shots (54) and shots on goal (25). She played in every game this past season, participating for a full 90 minutes in all matches except three.
Nemec’s selection to the third team adds to her list of honors from a successful soccer career. The forward earned the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors on Aug. 22 after scoring three goals against Niagara and New Hampshire, including a brace in her first appearance for the Maroon and Gold. Nemec co-led Minnesota in assists (5) and was third overall in goals (3). She played and started in every game except one, totaling 1,105 minutes.
Kate Childers has been recognized for her contributions to the team by being named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. The midfielder from Fenton, Mich., recorded nine shots, three assists, and played a full 90 minutes in eight games this past season. Notably, she leads all Gopher freshmen in minutes played with 1,326.
Elizabeth Overberg receives the Sportsmanship Award for representing the Golden Gophers. Overberg had an outstanding junior season, leading all Gophers in minutes played with 1,516 and starting in all 17 games. The defender only missed 15 minutes of field action this season and recorded three shots throughout the fall. She also didn’t allow a single shot or shot on goal in Minnesota’s 5-0 victory over St. Thomas, a feat that hadn’t been achieved since Nov. 11, 1997, when the Maroon and Gold defeated Michigan State 4-0.
Complete List of Minnesota’s 2023 Big Ten Individual Awards
Megan Nemec: All-Big Ten Third Team, Forward
Sophia Boman: All-Big Ten Third Team, Midfielder
Kate Childers: All-Big Ten Freshman Team, Midfielder
Elizabeth Overberg: Sportsmanship Award Honoree, Defender
