UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer standout Madi Bajis (Macomb, Mich. / Utica HS) was named both the GLIAC Player of the Year and GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, capping off an outstanding senior campaign. Bajis was also selected to the All-GLIAC First Team as a midfielder and was joined by six other Cardinals earning All-GLIAC honors for the most in a single season for the program.
Lauryn Fracassi (Grandville, Mich. / Grandville HS), Abby Ellis (Waterford, Mich. / Waterford Mott HS), and Gracie Cwik (Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett HS) were named to the All-GLIAC Second Team, while Kylie Cesarek (Macomb, Mich. / Dakota HS), Emily Kolodin (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc HS), and Jaidyn Veldhouse (Grandville, Mich. / Calvin Christian HS) received Honorable Mention recognition.
Bajis delivered a dominant senior season, leading the GLIAC in both goals (12) and points (27) — career highs that surpassed her impressive sophomore totals. She also added three assists, powering an SVSU offense that ranked second in the conference in total goals and points while guiding the Cardinals to a 12-5-2 record.
A consistent scoring threat, Bajis found the back of the net in 11 matches, posted a brace against Michigan Tech, and tallied three game-winning goals — including a late strike at Davenport that secured a dramatic road victory. She also recorded two separate three-game scoring streaks, showcasing her consistency as one of the GLIAC's most dangerous attacking players.
Head coach Tyler Channell praised his senior leader:
"Madi is truly an incredible story of where she started to where she got to. Her dedication and hard work to the program have shown in an amazing fashion each season. She has shown in each game her ability to dominate — in the air, dribbling, and scoring goals. She's finished her career leading the conference in shots, shots on goal, goals, game-winning goals, and points, all from the midfield position. Each game she's a difficult matchup for opponents, and I'm very excited to see how far she can lead us on a postseason run."
Fracassi earned her first career All-GLIAC honor after doubling her offensive output from her sophomore season. The Grandville, Mich., native scored six goals and added three assists for 15 points. She posted 22 shots with 16 on goal (.727 SOG%), and her .273 shooting percentage ranked among the team's best. Fracassi's lone game-winner came in a 2-1 road victory over Michigan Tech.
Ellis made an immediate impact as a freshman, finishing with four goals and three assists for 11 points. The Waterford, Mich., native took 25 shots, with nine on goal (.360 SOG%), and recorded two game-winning goals — one at Walsh in a 3-1 victory and another in a 4-0 home win over Northern Michigan.
Cwik anchored the Cardinal back line, earning All-GLIAC honors in her sophomore season. The Bartlett, Ill., native started 17 matches and appeared in all 19, contributing to one of the GLIAC's top defensive units. She also tallied her first career point with an assist and added one shot.
Cesarek started all 19 matches in her junior season after appearing in 14 the year prior. The Macomb, Mich., native recorded her first career point with an assist against Walsh early in the year and provided a steady presence in the midfield.
In her first season with SVSU after transferring from Eastern Michigan, Kolodin became a key playmaker. The Grand Blanc, Mich., native scored three goals and led the Cardinals with eight assists, totaling 14 points. She placed 14 of her 18 shots on goal (.778 SOG%).
Veldhouse started all 19 matches in her sophomore season, providing defensive strength in the midfield. The Grandville, Mich., native totaled 10 shots with five on goal (.500 SOG%) and continued to play a key role in disrupting opposing attacks.