Marion, IN — While a 2005-2006 season that produced an overall record of 6-24 was far from the goals and standards of the Goshen College women’s basketball program, the youthful squad was noted for its promise for the future Monday, as freshman guard Rachel Canen was selected to the Mid-Central Conference’s All-Freshman Team. The five-player squad, in its first year of existence, was voted on by league coaches. Canen, who averaged a team-best 9.7 points per game, was Goshen’s lone representative on the all-conference balloting.

“Rachel had an outstanding first year for us,” said Steve Wiktorowski, Goshen head coach. “We felt she was a sleeper when we recruited her, and she played as well as we had hoped. She is not overly athletic, but she more than makes up for it with a very tough mental attitude and is often our best competitor. She believes she can compete with anyone and is a clutch player who plays her best when the game is on the line.”

Canen was just one of nine freshmen and sophomores that helped comprise a 12-player roster for this year’s Leafs’ team, as Goshen will return 96.6 percent of its scoring and 97.2 percent of its rebounding to next year’s squad. Add to that mix freshman Krystal Duensing — who averaged 15.3 points per game in three games before tearing her ACL and subsequently taking a medical redshirt this season— and Wiktorowski has a strong nucleus returning.

“Our younger players have improved, and there is enough talent and competitiveness there that we will be better next season,” Wiktorowski said. “We need to have a good off-season of work and add a few more players to the mix to get where we want to go.”

Canen is certainly a vital part to that plan, as the freshman guard knocked in 36.2 percent of her field goal tries and 30.2 percent of her attempts from three-point range, making the second-most treys on the squad (38 for 126). Canen made 74.1 percent of her free throw opportunities on the season, grabbing nearly three rebounds per game while dishing out nearly one assist per contest.

“Rachel has great hands and improved tremendously as a defensive player this season,” Wiktorowski said. “We think she will become an even more complete player and has a bright future ahead of her at Goshen College.”

Goshen’s three upperclassmen — seniors Jenn Rupp and Teresa Bartal along with junior Danielle Haney — were honored by the league in the MCC’s first All-Academic Team. Members of that team all maintained a minimum 3.5 grade point average in at least three academic years of study. Despite just three possible candidates, Goshen had the second-highest amount of all-academic team members among league institutions.

For a complete look at the All-MCC teams and award winners, click here.