ST. LOUIS - Though their playing careers ended as far back as 1999, seven Illinois State women's soccer players have been recognized by the Missouri Valley Conference as members of the All-Centennial Team. Former Redbirds Melissa Colthrust, Becky Feldmann, Heather Forsyth, Chrystal Johnston, Angie Roth, Annie Wayland and Jenny Williams were all named to the squad.
Illinois State, with seven selections, had more players named to the team than any other league team. Evansville had five former players named to the All-Centennial team, while former Aces' coach Mick Lyon was named the head coach for the team. Voting for the All-Centennial team and coach was determined through an on-line fan vote and by a centennial committee. A total of 2,180 votes were cast for the women's soccer team.
Redbird head coach Pete Kowall, who came to ISU in 1997, built the ISU women's soccer program into a success story and remembers each former player.
Colthrust, a defender who played at ISU from 1999-2002, was a four-time all-MVC selection and also garnered MVC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2002. Feldmann (1997-2000), a former Redbird goalie, was also a four-time all-MVC honoree and still holds numerous goalkeeping records at Illinois State.
"Melissa was just a really good defender for us," said Kowall. "She was a great captain and team leader while she was here. (Becky) Feldmann was the first recruit I got here at ISU. Becky was just a great leader. She hated to lose and was a good organizer in the back. She worked hard and was a smart kid."
Forsyth was the first player in MVC women's soccer history to receive MVP honors both for her offensive (2003) and defensive (2005) play. She received all-Valley recognition each year from 2002-05. The 2003 State Farm Valley Tournament MVP, Johnston was a midfielder who played at ISU from 1999-2003 and also received all-MVC honors in each of those years.
"Heather was awesome," said Kowall. "She just came here and single-handedly helped us win games. Chrystal, of all the players, was the one I really thought could make it at the next level. She really had that potential and an all-around game."
Roth and Wayland each received 2001 Missouri Valley Player of the Year recognition. Roth (1998-2001) was named the Defensive Player of the Year, as the defender earned all-conference recognition in each of her four years. The league leader in career points, Wayland, a forward, garnered Player of the Year accolades in 2001. She booted 59 goals from 1999-2002 and holds the school and conference record with 126 career points.
"Angie Roth was a very technical player and one that I think a lot of people missed recruiting," said Kowall. "Annie was very under-recruited and came here and played so well. She broke a lot of records and scored a lot of goals as a Redbird."
Williams, a defender who played at Illinois State from 1996-1999, was a four-time all-MVC honoree. She also received 1998 Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year plaudits.
"Jenny (Williams) was the first player who really understood what it took to win," Kowall said. "Her mentality was unbelievable.
"We recruited all those kids, and I think early on they were under-rated and overlooked," Kowall continued. "We went after them so hard and aggressively and sold them on the fact that they could come to Illinois State, a young program, and help build it up. They came here knowing they could come here and make an impact. I was lucky that they each took advantage of that opportunity."
