NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Following a competitive 2026 regular season that saw North Central College earn the top seed in the conference tournament, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin announced its 2026 All-CCIW Women's Soccer teams, specialty award winners and RESPECT Award recipients Friday.
The conference's nine head coaches voted to recognize the league's top performers for their accomplishments throughout the regular season, with student-athletes earning First Team and Second Team All-CCIW honors alongside the conference's specialty award winners.
Five specialty awards were announced, with North Central earning two selections. Baylee Burbidge was named First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year, while head coach Andrew Gamarra earned Coach of the Year honors. Millikin University's Izzy Jones was selected as the Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year, while Elmhurst University's Nora Simon earned Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year honors. Wheaton College's Lydia Martin was named Goalkeeper of the Year.
Additionally, each program recognized one student-athlete as its RESPECT Award recipient. The award honors student-athletes who exemplify the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust, recognizing their character, contributions to their team and commitment to fostering a positive team culture.
Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year
Izzy Jones, Millikin University (Senior, Forward, Olathe, Kan.)
Jones led the conference with eight goals and 16 points across eight CCIW matches, recording 18 shots, including 14 on goal. The senior forward from Olathe, Kan. accounted for more than half of Millikin's goals in conference play and finished the regular season with 17 goals overall, ranking among the top scorers nationally.
Jones earned CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week honors twice this season.
Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year
Nora Simon, Elmhurst University (Sophomore, Defender, Anchorage, Alas.)
Simon, a sophomore defender from Anchorage, Alaska, anchored a Bluejays defense that led the conference with a 0.63 goals-against average and recorded five shutouts in eight CCIW matches. Simon played all 720 minutes of conference competition, helping Elmhurst limit opponents to just 89 shots and five goals.
In addition to her defensive contributions, Simon recorded three goals for six points during conference play, tying for third in the league in goals scored. Her performance on both ends of the field helped Elmhurst finish second in the conference standings and secure the No. 2 seed in the CCIW Women's Soccer Championship.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Lydia Martin, Wheaton College (Sophomore, Goalkeeper, Las Vegas, Nev.)
The sophomore goalkeeper from Las Vegas, Nev., appeared in six conference matches, making five starts and recording 25 saves while allowing just four goals across 523 minutes of action. Martin finished conference play with a 0.69 goals-against average, an .862 save percentage and four shutouts, ranking among the conference leaders in all three categories.
Martin's performance helped Wheaton secure the No. 4 seed in the CCIW Women's Soccer Championship.
First Year Student-Athlete of the Year
Baylee Burbidge, North Central College (First Year, Forward, Milcreek, Utah)
Burbidge, the freshman midfielder from Mill Creek, Utah, had a strong debut season for the Cardinals, recording three goals and one assist for seven points across eight conference matches. Burbidge scored two game-winning goals and registered 20 shots, including nine on goal, while playing 647 minutes in conference competition.
Burbidge's performance played a role in North Central's regular-season success, helping the Cardinals secure the No. 1 seed in the CCIW Women's Soccer Championship.
Coach of the Year
Andrew Gamarra, North Central College
Gamarra was named the CCIW Women's Soccer Coach of the Year after leading the Cardinals to being undefeated in conference play and claim the 2026 CCIW regular-season championship. Under Gamarra's leadership, North Central secured the No. 1 seed in the CCIW Women's Soccer Championship, earning a first-round bye and the opportunity to host a semifinal match.
2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Women's Soccer Award Winners
Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year: Izzy Jones, Millikin
Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year: Nora Simon, Elmhurst
Goalkeeper of the Year: Lydia Martin, Wheaton
First Year Student-Athlete of the Year: Baylee Burbidge, North Central
Coach of the Year: Andrew Gamarra, North Central
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2026 All-CCIW Women's Soccer First Team
Reese Anderson – North Central – Forward
Madison DeVriendt – North Central – Midfielder
Izzy Jones – Millikin – Forward
Nora Simon – Elmhurst – Defender
Ava Mapes – Illinois Wesleyan – Forward
Carmella Nowak – Carroll – Forward
Taylor Haun – Illinois Wesleyan – Midfielder
Peyton Olinski – Carthage – Forward
Liza Wiley – Illinois Wesleyan – Forward
Caroline Sjøstedt – North Park – Forward
Lauren Richards – North Central – Defender
Lauren Nevins – Elmhurst – Forward
Lydia Martin – Wheaton – Goalkeeper
2026 All-CCIW Women's Soccer Second Team
Erin Fitzharris – Elmhurst – Goalkeeper
Baylee Burbidge – North Central – Midfielder
Calah Strong – Wheaton – Midfielder/Forward
Kara Waishwell – North Central – Midfielder
Lily Lindquist – Wheaton – Midfielder
Maja Applequist – North Park – Midfielder
Victoria Jaimes – North Central – Defender
Ellen Dahlquist – Illinois Wesleyan – Defender
Claire Georgees – North Central – Midfielder
Peyton McMahon – Illinois Wesleyan – Midfielder
Julia Skol – Millikin – Defender
Courtney Conlon – Elmhurst – Midfielder/Defender
Vanessa Gray – Illinois Wesleyan – Midfielder
2026 CCIW Women's Soccer RESPECT Award Recipients
Alyssa Mowry – Augustana
Victoria Crivello – Carroll
Serenity Berrios – Carthage
Hannah Wurster – Elmhurst
Sophie Lampert – Illinois Wesleyan
Grace Pelz – Millikin
Megan Michels – North Central
Emilie Østlyngen – North Park
Maddie Grinstead – Wheaton
Game One | Shop Official CCIW Women’s Soccer Championship Gear
Game One is the official merchandise provider of the CCIW. As one of the largest and fastest-growing sports equipment and apparel suppliers in the country. CCIW Women’s Soccer fans can shop championship-branded apparel and gear through the CCIW's official Game One store. Click here to be taken directly to the Official CCIW Women’s Soccer Championship Store!
CCIW Championship Central
Championship Central provides direct access to each CCIW sport's championship page, where sport-specific championship information can be found. Information will be updated throughout the year and is subject to change. Visit the Men’s Soccer championship page for the most up-to-date event information.
CCIW Network
All matches of the 2026 CCIW Men's and Women's Soccer Championships will be streamed live on the CCIW Network, the official streaming home of the conference. Fans can watch matches live or on demand through the CCIW Network website and app, available on mobile devices and supported streaming platforms.
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The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), Carroll University (Waukesha, Wis.), Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.), Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.), North Central College (Naperville, Ill.), North Park University (Chicago, Ill.) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.).