Eitniear Becomes First All-American In Express Women's Soccer History

Kendra Eitniear (11) was named to the NJCAA D-I Honorable Mention All-American team. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Kendra Eitniear (11) was named to the NJCAA D-I Honorable Mention All-American team. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Sophomore forward Kendra Eitniear has been named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-I Honorable Mention All-American team.

She becomes the first Express women's soccer player to garner All-American honors. The program just completed its second official season.

"Kendra had another fantastic season," said Express women's soccer head coach Mary Whisler. "With a much harder schedule this past season, Kendra scored a team-high 11 goals. She knew how to put the ball in the back of the net, but she did much more than that. She was a leader with an exceptional work ethic."

As a sophomore, Eitniear finished with 11 goals and four assists. Following the season, she earned First Team All-Region XII honors and was the top vote getter among all players in the region. She helped lead a team that finished first in the regular season in Region XII with a 10-0-2 record. Overall, the Express finished 13-2-3.

As a freshman, Eitniear had 21 goals and eight assists. She scored the program's first goal against Mercyhurst North East Community College, and added five more goals in her first collegiate game. Following the season, she was named Second Team All-Region XII after helping lead her team to a 12-8 overall record.

She finished her career as the program's leader in goals scored (32) and points (76). The six goals she scored in her first collegiate game is a single game record, as well.

"She constantly wanted to know ways to get better, faster and stronger," Whisler said. "Her enthusiasm and love for the game made her a great joy for me to coach. I could not be prouder of her accomplishments these past two years and just of her as a person in general."

Eitniear is a 2011 graduate of Swanton High School in Swanton, OH.