BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — West Virginia State University's women's soccer team has set a new benchmark in the Mountain East Conference this season, placing eight players on the All-Conference teams—more than any other school in the conference. Leading this distinguished group is Sara París Fílter, a freshman forward from Barcelona, Spain, who was named the MEC Freshman of the Year and earned spots on both the Second Team All-MEC and the All-Freshman Team. París Fílter had an impressive debut season, tying for fourth in the conference for goals scored per game and finishing with ten goals.

Head Coach Brandon Slewa expressed his pride in París Fílter's accomplishments, stating, "Sara's recognition as Freshman of the Year is a testament to her incredible talent, work ethic, and dedication to our program. She stepped onto the field this season and made an immediate impact, showing a level of maturity and skill beyond her years. I couldn't be prouder of how she's represented WVSU, and I'm excited to see how she continues to grow and contribute in the seasons to come."

WVSU is also represented on the All-MEC First Team by two veteran standouts:

• Sandra Linares (Graduate Student; Forward; Madrid, Spain), ranked second in the MEC for goals scored, netting 14 goals this season and adding four assists for a total of 32 points. Linares has been a critical force on WVSU's offensive front.
• Maxima Bellscheidt (Senior; Defender; Wuppertal, Germany), who notched one goal and two assists while serving as a key defensive anchor, consistently thwarting opponents and maintaining a resilient backline throughout the season.

In addition to París Fílter, five more Yellow Jackets earned spots on the All-MEC Second Team:

• Laura Galindo (Senior; Goalkeeper; Bogotá, Colombia), who leads the MEC in total shutouts with 10 clean sheets and ranks second in the conference in saves. Her goals-against average of 0.73 has provided WVSU with a solid foundation at the back, supported by her quick reflexes and command in goal.
• Karissa Vela (Senior; Midfielder; Chino Hills, Calif.), who contributed three goals and four assists this season, known for her tactical awareness and playmaking ability, which have driven the team's midfield.
• Aika Tobaru (Junior; Midfielder; Osaka, Japan), who tallied three goals and led the team with seven assists, showcasing her technical skill and vision in both offensive transitions and defensive holds.
• Alba Closa (Senior; Midfielder; Avia, Spain), a versatile midfielder with two goals and four assists, whose consistency and work rate have made her an invaluable asset.

Leila Karam (Junior; Forward; Montreal, Quebec, Canada) rounds out the honorees with an All-MEC Honorable Mention for her contributions as a dynamic forward who scored nine goals and added two assists, adding depth and firepower to WVSU's offensive lineup.

Slewa also praised the team's accomplishments, stating, "I'm incredibly proud of each player's hard work and dedication. To have eight of our athletes recognized on the All-Conference teams is a testament to their commitment and the strength of our program. Each of them has contributed to the success we've achieved this season."

Athletic Director Nate Burton highlighted the significance of this milestone, noting, "For WVSU to place more players on the All-MEC teams than any other school is an honor that speaks volumes about the caliber of our athletes and coaching staff. This is a proud moment for our program and our university."

West Virginia State will begin their quest for their first MEC title on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium with a quarterfinal match against the West Liberty Hilltoppers. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.