MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Oct. 29, 2012) - Helen Steinhauser of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team was named the 2012 Horizon League Player of the Year, the league office announced today as a part of its post-season awards.

Steinhauser also made a repeat appearance on the all-league first team and was joined by Kelly Lewers and Kelsey Holbert. Milwaukee also placed two players on the all-league second team in Krissy Dorre and Amy Kauffung.

Steinhauser has started all 15 games this season and has scored three goals to go with one assist in the Panther midfield. Two of her goals came as back-to-back game-winners at Valparaiso and against Loyola Oct. 3-10. A captain, she has played all but 34 minutes this season and has also brought key leadership to a young lineup.

Her award gave Milwaukee four-straight league players of the year, following a three-year run by former Panther Sarah Hagen. Steinhauser and Hagen are also the only UWM players to be named player of the year after earning league newcomer of the year honors.

Lewers and Holbert are second and third on the team in scoring and have been key components of the team's offense this season. Lewers has scored three goals and assisted on a league-high six more this season for 12 points. Meanwhile, Holbert has three goals and is tied for second in the league with five assists.

Dorre has started the last 10 games this season after missing the first five matches with an injury, but has led the team with five goals and 13 points this season. She is tied for second in the league in goals and tied for third in points, but leads the league in goals (0.50) and points (1.30) per game. She has scored two goals in each of UWM's last two league matches at Green Bay and against Cleveland State.

Amy Kauffung was an all-league second team player last season, as well. This season she began the season as an attacking midfielder, scoring two goals and an assist early. After a switch back to defense, she helped to stabilize the Panther backline.

Milwaukee returns to action this week, hosting the 2012 Horizon League Championship Friday through Sunday at Engelmann Stadium. UWM begins play in the semifinals Friday, hosting the lowest remaining seed after Tuesday's first round. In the other semifinal match, No. 2 Detroit will take on the higher seed at 4 p.m. with the winners advancing to the championship Sunday at 1 p.m.