Roos Earn Five Summit League Postseason Honors
10/26/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Head Coach Jess Smith, Brianna Castleberry, Sophia Limongi and Sophia Smith all honored by Summit League
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League recognized Kansas City's achievements during the regular season with five postseason honors. Across conference play, the Roos secured two wins and three draws, earning Kansas City its first playoff berth since rejoining the Summit League. Three student-athletes received postseason honors and Head Coach Jess Smith was named Coach of the Year. Brianna Castleberry was selected to the All-Summit First Team and All-Newcomer team and both Sophia Limongi and Sophia Smith received honorable mentions.
JESS SMITH | COACH OF THE YEAR
In her fourth season at the helm, Smith led the team to a 2-3-3 record during conference play. Smith took over the program in 2020 as just the third coach in program history. In her time with the Roos, Smith has inspired more than ten Postseason Honors. This honor is Smith's first coaching award from the Summit League. She was honored in 2013 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for their inaugural 30-Under-30 Coaching program.
Smith improved upon last year's conference record earning an added three points this season. They earned seven more goals this year with a total of 18 goals compared to last year's 11. Kansas City's improvements under Smith allowed them to lock down their first-ever postseason berth since rejoining the Summit League.
BRIANNA CASTLEBERRY | ALL-SUMMIT FIRST TEAM | ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Castleberry was a dominant offensive force for the Roos earning five goals throughout conference play. Across conference play, Castleberry was second in the Summit League in points with nine, second in goals with four and third for shots on goal with ten. She clinched the Roos' 2-1 victory over St. Thomas on Oct. 5 with a 90th-minute goal.
Last season, Castleberry did not appear in a single game for the Roos due to injury. This season she started in all 17 games earning 37 shots, 18 shots on goal and two assists. She was a dominant offensive force and put up a two-goal appearance against Oral Roberts on Oct. 1, 2023.
"Bri is such a special player because of her ability to get in behind and create dangerous chances," Smith said. "She is one of the fastest players in the league and can cause so much trouble on both sides of the ball because she never quits. Bri is a leader on our team and we can't wait to see how she continues to grow throughout her career."
SOPHIA LIMONGI | HONORABLE MENTION
At the start of the season, Limongi was recognized as a Player to Watch by the Summit League. In the back line, Limongi was a defensive staple for the Roos. She accrued over 1,500 minutes this season, playing the full 90 minutes in all but two matchups. Limongi had six shots on goal throughout the season and made several critical defensive plays for the Roos.
As a Roo, Limongi has made 71 appearances, and she started in 70 of those matchups. She played a full 90 minutes in all three of Kansas City's shutout performances. During the 2022 season, Limongi also received an Honorable Mention for the All-Summit postseason awards.
"Limongi is a strong 1v1 defender who has continued to anchor our backline with her tough mentality and relentless effort," Smith said. "She's a proven leader who sets the tone for our squad with her mindset to win in training and in games."
SOPHIA SMITH | HONORABLE MENTION
Sophia Smith has been consistent for the Kansas City defense, coming up clutch with a number of big plays in and around the box. She earned two assists this season, the first in the 2-1 season-opening victory over Lindenwood on Aug. 17 and the second in the dominant 2-0 win over South Dakota. Smith's assist on the second goal in the South Dakota matchup on Oct. 19 helped secure the Roos' advancement to the Conference tournament.
This was Smith's fourth season with the Roos and she was one of five players to start in all 17 games. Smith played a critical role in two Kansas City shutouts, playing a full 90 minutes against both South Dakota State and North Dakota. Smith is third on the team in minutes, documenting over 1,300 in the regular season.
"Smitty has been so good all year with her ability to break plays, win battles and build our attack out of the back," Coach Smith said. "Her athleticism and tracking ability have made it hard to get in behind her, which has made her one of the top defenders in the league."
JESS SMITH | COACH OF THE YEAR
In her fourth season at the helm, Smith led the team to a 2-3-3 record during conference play. Smith took over the program in 2020 as just the third coach in program history. In her time with the Roos, Smith has inspired more than ten Postseason Honors. This honor is Smith's first coaching award from the Summit League. She was honored in 2013 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for their inaugural 30-Under-30 Coaching program.
Smith improved upon last year's conference record earning an added three points this season. They earned seven more goals this year with a total of 18 goals compared to last year's 11. Kansas City's improvements under Smith allowed them to lock down their first-ever postseason berth since rejoining the Summit League.
BRIANNA CASTLEBERRY | ALL-SUMMIT FIRST TEAM | ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Castleberry was a dominant offensive force for the Roos earning five goals throughout conference play. Across conference play, Castleberry was second in the Summit League in points with nine, second in goals with four and third for shots on goal with ten. She clinched the Roos' 2-1 victory over St. Thomas on Oct. 5 with a 90th-minute goal.
Last season, Castleberry did not appear in a single game for the Roos due to injury. This season she started in all 17 games earning 37 shots, 18 shots on goal and two assists. She was a dominant offensive force and put up a two-goal appearance against Oral Roberts on Oct. 1, 2023.
"Bri is such a special player because of her ability to get in behind and create dangerous chances," Smith said. "She is one of the fastest players in the league and can cause so much trouble on both sides of the ball because she never quits. Bri is a leader on our team and we can't wait to see how she continues to grow throughout her career."
SOPHIA LIMONGI | HONORABLE MENTION
At the start of the season, Limongi was recognized as a Player to Watch by the Summit League. In the back line, Limongi was a defensive staple for the Roos. She accrued over 1,500 minutes this season, playing the full 90 minutes in all but two matchups. Limongi had six shots on goal throughout the season and made several critical defensive plays for the Roos.
As a Roo, Limongi has made 71 appearances, and she started in 70 of those matchups. She played a full 90 minutes in all three of Kansas City's shutout performances. During the 2022 season, Limongi also received an Honorable Mention for the All-Summit postseason awards.
"Limongi is a strong 1v1 defender who has continued to anchor our backline with her tough mentality and relentless effort," Smith said. "She's a proven leader who sets the tone for our squad with her mindset to win in training and in games."
SOPHIA SMITH | HONORABLE MENTION
Sophia Smith has been consistent for the Kansas City defense, coming up clutch with a number of big plays in and around the box. She earned two assists this season, the first in the 2-1 season-opening victory over Lindenwood on Aug. 17 and the second in the dominant 2-0 win over South Dakota. Smith's assist on the second goal in the South Dakota matchup on Oct. 19 helped secure the Roos' advancement to the Conference tournament.
This was Smith's fourth season with the Roos and she was one of five players to start in all 17 games. Smith played a critical role in two Kansas City shutouts, playing a full 90 minutes against both South Dakota State and North Dakota. Smith is third on the team in minutes, documenting over 1,300 in the regular season.
"Smitty has been so good all year with her ability to break plays, win battles and build our attack out of the back," Coach Smith said. "Her athleticism and tracking ability have made it hard to get in behind her, which has made her one of the top defenders in the league."
Players Mentioned
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