DeKALB – Freshman forward Amber Best of the NIU women’s soccer team has been named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team. Best finished her freshman season with four goals, two assists and 10 points. Best tied with junior midfielder Claudia Muessig leading the team in both categories of goals and points.

Best appeared in 17 of NIU’s 18 matches, starting in eight of them. Best had her first multi-goal game of her career on Oct. 20 when she scored both of NIU’s goals in a 2-0 victory over Eastern Michigan University.

“We are proud of Amber’s achievements this year,” women’s soccer head coach Michael O’Neill said in an NIU Athletics news release. “She was out for the first part of the season through injury and as soon as she came back, she made a huge difference to our front line and was able to score some goals in the MAC as a freshman which is a pretty cool feat. Amber works hard and I know she is excited and hungry to do more in her time here at NIU. I’m proud of her and excited to see what is to come in her remaining three years.”

All of Best’s goals came within conference play. With those goals, Best tied for eighth in the MAC for goals scored. The four goals by Best is the most by a NIU freshman since Lisa Maier. Maier scored five goals as a freshman in the 2006 season.

Best will mark the 10th Huskie to earn MAC All-Freshman Team honors.

The team ended the season with a 6-8-4 record and a MAC record of 3-6-2. After starting the season off unbeaten through four games the Huskies missed the chance to compete in the MAC Tournament.