Story written by Anthony Perry '08, Fisher College Associate Director of Athletics

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. – The Continental Athletic Conference unveiled their 2023 All-Conference team this afternoon and five members of the Fisher College Women's Soccer team were selected for the post-season honors.

Under the leadership of Head Coach John Del Valle, the Falcons returned to the conference tournament this season for the first time since 2015 with a 6-8-2 overall record. The 14 points were the most single season points turned in by the program since 2017 and it garnered the team a third place seeding in the tournament. Fisher ultimately fell in the semifinals to eventual tournament champion, Georgia Gwinnett College. Here are the five All-Conference honorees from Fisher College.

First Team: Kelly Wallace, Senior from Hanover, Mass.

Wallace turned in a stellar final campaign for the Falcons in 2023. The South Shore native scored a career-high 20 goals over her 17 games played this season. She was named the CAC Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week three times in 2023 and totaled four OPTW honors in her career. The three-time All-Conference selection finishes her three-year career in the Fisher Blue and White with 39 career goals and 8 assists for 86 career points over 40 games played.

Second Team: Iliana Fernandez, Sophomore from Hesperia, Calif.

It was a solid season out of the Falcon midfield as Fernandez was one of two midfielders to be tabbed All-Conference worthy. A native of Southern California, she has quickly adapted to the New England landscape was selected to the CAC 2nd team. Fernandez helped facilitate the ball this season along with finishing second in goals scored and recording two game-winning goals. Both of those GWG came in back-to-back games for the Falcons as she notched the first goal in the 3-0 conference win at Washington Adventist on 10/8 and followed by scoring the first goal in the 6-0 triumph over Maine-Presque Isle on 10/14. This is Fernandez' first All-Conference selection in her career and she was also selected to the 2023 CAC All-Tournament team.

Second Team: Olivia Leo, Junior from Dunmore, Pa.

One of the best to wear the gloves, Leo was finally recognized this season after backstopping the team to the conference tournament. She was outstanding in net all season long for the Falcons as she made 104 saves over the 14 games she appeared in. The Pennsylvania native was named the CAC Women's Soccer Defender of the Week once this season after turning in back-to-back double digit save performances against Framingham State and Washington Adventist. Leo was also selected the 2023 CAC All-Tournament team. 

Leo was also selected as the Falcons' representative on the conference's Champions of Character team. The Champions of Character team recognizes student-athletes that exemplify the Five Core Values of the NAIA's Champions of Character program – Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership.

Honorable Mention: J. Braggs, Senior from Craig, Colo.

The charismatic Colorado native was the leader for the Falcon defensive unit this season. She started in all 17 games for Fisher while helping to orchestrate the defensive shaping in front of the keeper. She was able to sneak in three shots offensively, with one landing on net, however she was handed an spot on the CAC All-Conference Honorable Mention team for her energy, effort, and brilliancy in having the team return to the conference tournament.

Honorable Mention: Ariana Artavia, Senior from Dallas, Ga.

Artavia turned in her best season this fall as she combined with Fernandez to solidify the Falcon midfield. The Georgia native started all 17 games this season for Fisher and finished behind fellow All-Conference honorees Wallace and Fernandez for third on the team in goals scored (2). Artavia also assisted on three goals in helping the team return to her home state for the conference tournament. This is the first time she has been named to the CAC All-Conference team.
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For the complete list of the 2023 Continental Athletic Conference Women's Soccer All-Conference teams and major award winners, please click here.