Two student-athletes on the Missouri State women's soccer team have been named to the 2006 Missouri Valley Conference All-Tournament Team, the league office announced Monday. Kate Blair and Kate Hercules were selected to the team after stellar performances in last week's conference quarterfinal match and Friday's semifinal match.

Blair scored the game-winning goal in the Bears' quarterfinal match against Illinois State. The second-team All-MVC pick headed a shot past diving Redbird keeper Andrea Shaw in the 11th minute of the contest for the game's only score. In Friday's semifinal match against Drake, Blair led Missouri State's offensive attack as she posted four shots, including one on goal.

First team all-conference pick Hercules kept the Illinois State Redbirds off the scoreboard with her aggressive defensive display in MSU's quarterfinal matchup. In the semifinal contest, Hercules had another outstanding defensive performance as she led the Bears in a defensive battle against the Bulldogs and shut them out in regulation. She also recorded two shots on the contest.

Drake won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship Sunday over Evansville 1-0. DU's Melissa Nelson scored the game's only goal five minutes into overtime, propelling the Bulldogs to their first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Nelson was named the most valuable player of the MVC Tournament.

All-Tournament Team:
Megan Boler, Illinois State
Lauren Podolski, Indiana State
Kate Blair, Missouri State
Kate Hercules, Missouri State
Emily Munn, Creighton
Marcy Gans, Creighton
Kara Murphy, Evansville
Mia Tofano, Evansville
Nicole Zygmontowicz, Evansville
Elise Rau, Drake
Sarah Foote, Drake
Danielle Oswald, Drake
Melissa Nelson, Drake - MVP