BEAUMONT, Texas - Four student-athletes-senior forward Cariel Ellis, senior midfielder Hollie Massey, junior defender Arely Alaniz, and senior goalkeeper Nicole Panis-from Lamar University's soccer team earned national recognition as they were named the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest teams on Tuesday. 

Earning second team recognition were Hollie Massey and Cariel Ellis. For Massey, the SLC Player of the Year, this was her first career honor from the USC as she was Big Red's top point scorer (23) from six goals and 11 assists. Massey earned two SLC Offensive Player of the Week honors and also had three game-winning goals in 2023. Massey was also selected to the all-SLC tournament team.

Ellis nabs her second USC honor after leading LU with eight goals including a conference-best five game-winners. On two different occasions, Ellis received SLC Offensive Player of the Week and College Soccer News Team of the Week recognition in the same week. She also was a member of the SLC tournament team. 

For the third team honors, the USC selected Arely Alaniz and Nicole Panis. Now a two-time SLC Defender of the Year, Alaniz helped LU to a program best 11 shutouts in a season while scoring twice and dished out three assists. Alaniz earned her first career SLC Defensive Player of the Week and was honored as the SLC Tournament MVP. 

Panis concluded her Cardinal career with school records in wins (47), saves (351), shutouts (30), minutes (6377:26), and goals against average (0.93). Panis won all 15 games and tied a school record with 10 shutouts all while posting 75 saves. Nationally, she received recognition as Top Drawer Soccer's Player and National Team of the Week following a 13-save performance in a 1-0 upset win over No. 17 Xavier. Panis repeated as SLC Goalkeeper of the Year. 

All four of these players were first team honorees by the SLC as they would help lead the Cardinals to a 15-3-3 overall record and an 9-0-1 undefeated conference record, as well as their second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. 
 

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