Allie Bird (Soccer): Bird earned the Fleur-de-lis award for the first time this season thanks to her extraordinary athletic accomplishments over the past two weeks. Bird was key in St. Kate’s soccer winning its first-ever Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoff Title last weekend, as she scored the game-winning goals in both the semifinal and championship round. Bird scored the lone goal of the game at 11:02 in the Wildcats semifinal against Augsburg to send the team to their first ever MIAC Championship game. Then, in the championship game, Bird scored the game winner in double-overtime to clinch St. Kate’s first ever MIAC Playoff Championship. After the playoffs, Bird is second on the team in points (11) and goals (4).
Kaitlin Machovec (Soccer): Machovec was named a Fleur-de-lis award winner thanks to her outstanding athletic accomplishments, especially in the past week. Machovec was one of St. Kate’s big contributors during the MIAC playoffs, both offensively and defensively. After playing primarily as a wing during the regular season, Machovec transitioned to an attacking midfielder during the playoffs, giving the Wildcats more depth at the position during the most important week of the season. Defensively, Machovec was responsible for guarding some of the top-offensive players for the opposition and was key in shutting down two of the MIAC’s top scorers. Machovec was also able to contribute offensively, as her versatility to distribute and shoot the ball helped St. Kate’s win the MIAC Playoff Championship for the first time in program history. Machovec scored the game-tying goal in the quarterfinal game against Saint Ben’s and set up Bird’s game winning goal in the championship. Machovec currently leads the team in most offensive categories, including goals (5), points (13) and shots (55).
Marie Morrier (Cross Country): Morrier is the second cross country student-athlete to earn Fleur-de-lis honors this season after an outstanding athletic performance at the MIAC Championship on October 28. Morrier was the Wildcats top-runner in the conference championship, as she crossed the line in 24:15.9. That was Morrier’s season best time and the second fastest time she’s run in her career at St. Kate’s. Morrier also received the award for her teamwork and leadership qualities. She has remained dedicated to the cross country team the entire season despite battling injury and illness.
Jessica Perez-Adame (Soccer): Perez-Adame received the Fleur-de-lis honor for the first time in her career due to her athletic accomplishments during the soccer team’s run to the MIAC Championship. As the Wildcats starting keeper, the senior was nothing short of outstanding during the MIAC Playoffs, as she allowed just one goal and made 30 saves in over 300 minutes of play against the MIAC’s top teams. In St. Kate’s 1-1 draw in the quarterfinal against Saint Ben’s, Perez-Adame made a career-high 14 saves in 110 minutes before making two huge saves in the shootout to help the Wildcats advance on penalty kicks. Perez-Adame was just as good against both Augsburg and Gustavus, as she earned two shutout victories against the two hottest offensive teams in the playoffs. In the playoffs, Perez-Adame has a save percentage of .968, which is historic by both St. Kate’s and MIAC standards.
