Phoenix, AZ -- The Academy of Art University women's soccer team had a breakout season in 2012, almost doubling last year's win total and showcasing a very much improved squad, and two standouts from that team were rewarded for their contributions. Junior forward Beth Barker and junior midfielder Hannah Emmett were both recognized by the conference, receiving All-PacWest Honorable Mentions, it was announced Thursday on the weekly PacWest Radio Show.

Barker led the Urban Knights in goals scored (7) and points (16), setting the single-season record for points in the process. She had three game-winning goals to lead the team as well, the first of which came against Simon Fraser on Sep. 8 in a 1-0 victory. The second was her corner kick goal against Dominican with under 30 seconds to play in another 1-0 contest on Sep. 27, and the last was at Chaminade, as she scored the first goal in a 2-0 Knights win.

“Beth made an immediate impact on our offense with her desire to score goals and passion for the game," said head coach Aileen Nasypany. "Her shot on goal completion rate and ability to make big time shots for game winning goals put us on the winning side of some close matches this season. I look forward to watching her grow within our system and become a leader for us in her senior year.”

Hannah Emmett played a key part for the Urban Knights, totaling five points in the final week of the season. She scored the game-winning goal in the 51st minute of a 1-0 win at Hawai'i Pacific on Nov. 1. She also tallied the game's first goal in the 81st minute of a 2-1 overtime win at Hawai'i Hilo on Nov. 3. Later in the contest she set up Réa Laudat for the game-winner less than five minutes into the first overtime period.

Emmett made the move from forward to midfield this year, but did not see any drop off in her scoring from last season, tallying 14 points here in 2012 to go with her 12 points from 2011. Emmett had six goals and two assists this year, giving her team records in career goals (16) and points (38).

"Hannah's creativity and speed was influential in our midfield this year," Nasypany said. "She took on a new role and by the end of the season really found her stride. She was a true leader for us in Hawaii, helping us come up with some big time wins for our young program.”

The honors vindicated the sentiment around the women's soccer team that they were much improved, and for the second straight year the Urban Knights had two representatives in the postseason awards.