MOREHEAD, Ky. – Freshman defender
Faith Peper (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) represented the Morehead State women's soccer team on the Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer team, the league office announced on Wednesday afternoon. She was the team's lone individual named to either the first, second or newcomer teams.
"I'm so excited and honored to be on the All-Newcomer team. This award not only reflects my own hard work but also the same effort of my teammates and coaches," Peper said. "This year was definitely a tough season, but we've learned so much and have grown tremendously as a young group. I'm so excited for next season and I know that we will achieve big things."
Despite being listed as a defender, Peper actually played all over the field. As the season progressed, she moved to the front line and played as a forward.
"She's a great player who's played in a number of positions for us and she has a bright future here," MSU head coach
Paul Cox said.
Peper finished the season with two goals, four points, 16 shots, eight shots on goal and one game-winning goal in 18 games with 17 starts. In conference games, she had one goal, two points, 11 shots and six shots on goal. She played in nine games and started eight.
In each of the last two years, five Eagles were recognized. The last time only one Eagle was honored was 2021, when Jenna Setters was selected to the All-Newcomer Team.
Morehead State finished the season with a 3-13-2 overall record, a 1-6-2 OVC mark and in ninth place in the league standings.
A total of 33 players were recognized. Every team, except Western Illinois, was represented by at least one individual. Regular season champion Tennessee Tech had a league-high seven honorees, including the Midfielder and Defender of the Year, as well as the Coach of the Year.
2025 OVC Women's Soccer Awards
OVC Forward of the Year: Maria Schuller, Little Rock
OVC Midfielder of the Year: Lucia Cuadra, Tennessee Tech
OVC Defender of the Year: Claire Palya, Tennessee Tech
OVC Goalkeeper of the Year: Ella Kratochvil, Eastern Illinois
OVC Co-Freshman of the Year: Camylle Graves, Eastern Illinois
OVC Co-Freshman of the Year: Ava Huntrods, UT Martin
OVC Coach of the Year: Corey Boyd, Tennessee Tech
ALL-OVC FIRST TEAM
GK – Ella Kratochvil, Jr. – Eastern Illinois
GK – Peyton Urban, Sr. – Little Rock
F – Alex Tetteh, Jr. – Eastern Illinois
F – Maria Schuller, So. – Little Rock
F – Katie Toney, Sr. – Tennessee Tech
MF – Amaya Arias, Sr. – Little Rock
MF – Lucia Cuadra, Gr. – Tennessee Tech
MF – Allison Lee, R-Jr. – Tennessee Tech
D – Colleen Bauer, So. – Eastern Illinois
D – Candice Kilderry, Jr. – Little Rock
D – Claire Palya, R-Jr. – Tennessee Tech
ALL-OVC SECOND TEAM
GK – Maggie Conrad, Sr. – Tennessee Tech
GK – Mac Titus, R-Sr. – UT Martin
F – Mackenzie Compton, So. – Lindenwood
F – Natalie Howard, So. – Tennessee Tech
F – Peyton Cook, Jr. – UT Martin
MF – Tasneem Dizdarevic, So. – Lindenwood
MF – Rachel Jackson, Sr. – Lindenwood
MF – Justi Nelson, Jr. – Southeast Missouri
D – Allison Schrumpf, Jr. – Lindenwood
D – Emma Schut, So. – Southern Indiana
D – Parker Gelinas, Gr. – UT Martin
ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Camylle Graves, F, Fr. – Eastern Illinois
Alysse Lamb, D, Fr. – Lindenwood
Emily Nahon, D, Fr. – Little Rock
Faith Peper, D, Fr. – Morehead State
Haley Hogenmiller, F, Jr. – Southeast Missouri
Sarah Bozeman, GK, Jr. – SIUE
Claire Nieroda, MF, Fr. - SIUE
Tierney Mullady, D, Fr. – Southern Indiana
Eva Baker, D, Fr. – Tennessee Tech
Ava Huntrods, MF, Fr. – UT Martin
Alex Weihs, F, Fr. - UT Martin
The eight-team OVC Tournament opens Thursday tomorrow at two different sites. Tennessee Tech will host the semifinals and finals. The championship game will be Sunday, Nov. 9.
