SPRINGFIELD, MO. -- In a vote by the league's seven head coaches earlier this week, freshman Rachel Tejada of Illinois State has been named the 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Soccer Most Valuable Player and the 2011 Freshman of the Year. Tejada led the league in several offensive categories including shots (74), goals (18), points (42), and game winning goals (6). Tejada also helped propel her team to its fourth MVC regular-season title in the past five years.

In their final regular-season victory over Creighton, Tejada recorded a goal and added assist to achieve her 42nd point of the year, surpassing the previous Illinois State record of 41. She's the second MVC freshman to earn the league's Freshman of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the Year award (Krissy Meek, Evansville, 1996).

The league's Defensive Player of the Year honor has been awarded to Illinois State's Natalie McCabe. McCabe is a two-time MVC first-team selection. Illinois State had the league's second lowest goals against average this season, averaging only 1.16 goals per game. She's the third Illinois State defender to win the league's top defensive honor in the past four seasons.

The MVC's Goalkeeper of the Year is Jessica Teahan of Missouri State. Teahan is a three-time MVC first-team selection, and first recipient of the inaugural award. Teahan led the league in shutouts this season and holds the lowest goals against average in the conference.

Illinois State claimed four spots on the league's first-team unit, and every member had at least one student-athlete on the league's first-or second-team unit.

Three student-athletes were selected to the first-team unit for the third time in their careers, including Jessica Carlson of Illinois State, Brittney Neumann of Creighton, and Jessica Teahan of Missouri State. Only 14 other players in league history have earned three or more first-team all-MVC women's soccer honors.

Illinois State's coaching staff, led by Head Coach Drew Roff, was voted the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year. It marks the sixth year the league has honored a staff in this category.

The all-Missouri Valley Conference Team was honored at a reception Thursday night in Springfield, Mo. Following two semifinal matches on Friday, Nov. 4 (3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.), the State Farm MVC Tournament championship match will take place this Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1:06p.m.