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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For the second consecutive season, the Missouri Southern Lions have placed eight members on the All-MIAA team, with senior Jessica Buhman (Olathe, Kan.) and sophomore Nikki Llewellyn (O'Fallon, Mo.) earning first-team recognition. Junior Erin Gfeller (Overland Park, Kan.) was a second-team pick, while juniors Amy Davis (Fenton, Mo.), Ashley Turner (Columbia, Mo.), Kaney Tyler (Topeka, Kan.), Erin Whelan (Belleville, Ill.) and sophomore Kelsey Thomas (Manhattan, Kan.) were honorable mention performers. It is the second straight all-conference first-team selection for Llewellyn, after recording team-highs in goals (6) and assists (5) and knocking in two game-winning tallies. Llewellyn, last season's MIAA Freshman of the Year, also had a goal-scoring streak that spanned five matches this season. Buhman also received first-team honors for the second consecutive year after being a second-team performer previous two years. Buhman tied her career-high with two goals and also handed out one assist. Since arriving at Southern in 2003, Buhman has played in every match and has been a starter in all but two. Gfeller played in all 20 matches this season and tied for first on the Lions with four goals and also ranked second on the team by recording three assists. Even though Gfeller is listed as a junior, she quite possibly has played her last match at Southern since she is scheduled to graduate in May with a 4.0 grade-point-average in accounting and finance. Davis was an honorable mention performer last season and has started every match this season for Southern, with one goal and one assist. Turner, a second-team pick last year, has been a solid defender for the Lions and has recorded one assist this year while starting all 19 matches. Tyler, the MIAA MVP and first-team all-conference selection last year, became the Lions all-time saves leader and minutes leader this season in addition to holding the school's career shutouts mark. Tyler has made 106 saves and has spent every minute in the net so far this season for Southern. Tyler also posted nine shutouts this year, one shy of own single-season record of 10 last year. Whelan has started all 19 matches this year and is third on the team with three goals, with one assist. Two of Whelan's goals have been game-winners. Thomas, a second-team all-conference pick last year, has started all 17 matches she has played in, giving a solid defensive performance and has been a key component in a Southern unit that has posted nine shutouts so far this season.
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