OMAHA, Neb. - Brittney Neumann's stellar freshman campaign was recognized by the Missouri Valley Conference Thursday evening, as she earned a first team All-Conference nod and was named league Freshman of the Year, it was announced at the MVC's tournament banquet.

A total of six Bluejays were honored by the league, as Kelly Connolly and Emily Orbell joined Neumann on the first team. Alicia Montgomery was the second team goalkeeper and Beth Fyles and Claire Zach were honorable mentions.

The Jays have now had two of the last three freshman of the year award winners, as Orbell was honored in 2007. The other Creighton FOY winner was Regina Moench in 2001.

Neumann, a forward, has played in all 19 matches and leads CU in points with 19 (7g/5a). She is in the top three of the MVC in numerous offensive categories, including second in points, third in goals and tied for first in assists, while also leading all MVC newcomers in scoring.

Orbell's first team selection is her third All-MVC honor after two, second team selections in 2007 and 2008. Orbell has played in 17 of 19 matches and is second on the team in goals (6) and points (17). She is the sixth Bluejay to earn three or more first or second team All-MVC awards.

Connolly was the second-leading scorer in the league among defenders. She currently has four goals, including two game-winners and one game-tying goal, and is one of four Jays to start every match.

Montgomery helped etch this year's team in the Creighton record books, as it set records for shutouts and goals against average with 11 and a 0.56 mark respectively. The Jays have also yet to allow more than two goals in a match, which would be a program first if that holds up.

Fyles and Zach's honorable mention come on the heels of career years for both players. Zach, a junior, nearly doubled her career point total this year with five (2g/1a). Fyles, a sophomore, has 11 points on four goals and three assists, after recording three points (0g/3a) as a freshman.

Samantha Aguilar of Missouri State was named Player of the Year, as she is currently tied for 10^th in the league in scoring with 11 points (5g/1a) after helping MSU to its highest finish in league history.

Danielle Mutters of Illinois State repeated as Defensive Player of the Year, as she currently has nine points (3g/3a) on the campaign. Mutters is the third player in league history to win the league's top defensive award in consecutive seasons, joining Evansville's Terra May (1996-97) and Missouri State's Sarah Guenther (2003-04)

Illinois State and Missouri State led the selections with six apiece to either the first or second teams. Drake had three, Evansville and UNI had two and Indiana State had one.

Illinois State won the league's Fair Play award, as the least carded team in the conference. The Redbird coaching staff of Drew Roff, Kellie Evans and Dee Nocero was also honored as MVC Coaching Staff of the Year.

The MVC Tournament will start Friday with two semifinal matches at Morrison Stadium. Illinois State will take on Drake at 3:30 p.m. and Creighton will play Missouri State at 6:00 p.m.