Aerni, Stephens and Shepherd recognized by league

HUNTINGTON, Ind. – The Crossroads League announced its All-League teams and among the list of athletes recognized were three Foresters.

Junior Ireland Aerni (Austin, Texas/Westlake HS) was one of two keepers named First Team All-League. A two-time Honorable Mention pick her first two seasons, Aerni posted six wins this year against 11 losses and a tie.

All six of Aerni's wins where shutouts including the tie. Over the course of the season, the 5-7 keeper gave up just 20 goals for a goals-against average of 1.13 per game. She wrapped up the year with 102 saves, the second most in the league, and a save percentage of .836. Among her CL peers, she ranks fifth in goals-against average and save percentage.

Senior Kalaina Stephens (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg HS) earned a spot on the Honorable Mention Team as one of the top defenders in the league. It's her second HM badge with her first dating back to 2020. She was a key cog to an HU defense that only allowed 20 goals on the year. She anchored a backline that gave up 8.8 shots per night, 61.4 percent of which were on target.

Also receiving an Honorable Mention designation was freshman Sophie Shepherd (Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS). A dangerous offensive threat, the rookie forward led HU in scoring with six goals, half of which were game-winners, and an assist for 13 points this fall.

The Foresters wrapped up the year with an overall record of 6-11-1. HU went 2-7 in conference action to finish eighth in the regular season standings.

The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 154 NAIA All-America honors and 501 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.