November 8, 2016
BLUFFTON, Ohio - Bluffton University defenders Brittany Huff (Union/Northmont) and Abby Karikas (Curtice/Genoa Area) have been named All-Heartland Conference for their play in 2016. They were recognized when the HCAC announced its top players this season as voted on by the head coaches.
Brittany Huff once again proved to be Head Coach Rhonda Gottschalk's most versatile weapon. A junior defender with the muscle to control the game as a back, Huff netted a team-high three goals. A three-time Honorable Mention All-HCAC selection in soccer and the starting shortstop for softball, Huff has been a mainstay for both teams since arriving on the scene in the fall of 2014. Huff led the Beavers with three goals and an assist, giving her 12 career goals (tied for 14th all-time) and 28 total points (14th all-time).
A starter in all 62 matches that the Bluffton University women played during her four years at Bluffton, Karikas was a model of consistency both on and off the field. She patrolled the defensive backfield from the first day she stepped on the pitch at the Sears Complex as a freshman. Karikas notched her only career assist as a junior and was an Academic All-HCAC honoree as a sophomore.
In conjunction with the All-HCAC selections, the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference also announced the All-HCAC Sportsmanship Team for the fall of 2016. Senior BETH SNYDER (Akron, NY) was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team from Bluffton. This award has been developed as part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative. Members of the All-HCAC Sportsmanship team are selected by the coaches and their teammates as individuals who demonstrate the ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field/court of competition.
The Bluffton women persevered despite numerous injuries, but the Beavers left it all on the pitch throughout the season. Bluffton would like to thank seniors Abby Karikas and Beth Snyder for the heart they displayed during their four years with the Beavers.
-BEAVERS-
