Gonzales, Grote earn all-conference honors for Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team

Southeast Missouri State's Esmie Gonzales earned first team All-OVC honors on Thursday.

Fred Lynch

Sophomore midfielder Esmie Gonzales and freshman forward Lexi Grote each earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors for the Southeast Missouri State women's soccer team, the league announced Thursday at its pre-tournament banquet.

Gonzales was a first team selection, while Grote earned all-newcomer honors.

Gonzales is fourth in the conference with eight goals, including five game-winners, which is second in the conference. She has also scored six of those goals in OVC games, which leads the OVC.

In several other categories, Gonzales is near the top of the league. She's fourth in points with 19, tied for third with 69 shots and fifth in shots per game (3.63).

The sophomore has 14 goals and eight assists during her time with the Redhawks and was a second-team and all-newcomer selection last year.

Grote, who hails from from Granite City, Illinois, has two goals and three assists in her first college season, including the overtime game-winner in SEMO's OVC opener against Tennessee Tech. She has also tallied 13 shots, including seven on goal.

SEMO's season continues at 2 p.m. today with an OVC Tournament semifinal matchup against host Murray State. The Redhawks bring a five-game winning streak into the contest.

Murray State's Harriet Withers was named the Offensive Player of the Year, and Tennessee Tech's Kari Naerdemann earned the Defensive Player of the Year award. Withers' teammate Rebecca Kubin won the Freshman of the Year award, and Murray State's Jeremy Groves was named Coach of the Year.