SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Spring Arbor University's Claire VanZanten earned Crossroads League Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year honors, leading seven Cougars recognized on the league's postseason award teams.
 
VanZanten joined Isa Martinez, Ayla Thompson and Jessie Postma on the All-Crossroads League First Team. Alana Simmons, Megan Mihaly and Kailey Walcott received honorable mention recognition.
 
The seven honorees helped No. 5 Spring Arbor finish the regular season 13-2-2 overall and second in the Crossroads League with a 7-1-1 conference record. The Cougars enter postseason play unbeaten in their last eight matches, outscoring opponents 23-1 during that stretch.
 
VanZanten earned her first career all-league selection after leading SAU with 13 goals, five assists and 31 points during the regular season. The junior forward scored six game-winning goals and accounted for nine goals and four assists in conference play. Her season included consecutive hat tricks against Huntington and then-No. 10 Taylor, helping the Cougars earn shutout victories in both matches.
 
Martinez collected her third career all-conference honor, adding to a first-team selection in 2023 and honorable mention recognition in 2025. The senior midfielder has started all 15 matches in which she has appeared, contributing three goals and two assists for eight points. Two of her goals were game-winners.
 
Thompson earned first-team recognition for the third consecutive season. The junior defender has started all 17 matches and contributed a goal while anchoring a Cougar defense that has allowed just seven goals and recorded 13 shutouts.
 
Postma secured her second career first-team selection after also receiving the honor in 2024. The senior defender has started every match this season and added a goal. Together, Thompson and Postma have helped SAU limit opponents to five shots per game and post a 0.41 goals-against average.
 
Simmons earned her first career all-league honor following a regular season that included one goal and three assists for five points. The junior midfielder has appeared in all 17 matches, making 16 starts.
 
Mihaly also received her first career all-conference selection. The senior defender has started all 15 matches in which she has played and contributed an assist, helping Spring Arbor record shutouts in seven of its final eight regular-season contests.
 
Walcott rounded out SAU's honorees with her first all-league award. The freshman goalkeeper has made 16 starts, recording 21 saves with a .875 save percentage and a 0.33 goals-against average. She has allowed just three goals in 810 minutes.
 
Spring Arbor has outscored opponents 38-7 this season and holds a 379-85 advantage in shots. The Cougars open the Crossroads League Tournament at home against Huntington University on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Cougar Soccer Complex.