MONROE, La. – ULM Soccer picked up five all-conference selections, with Skylar Blaise receiving the honor of Player of the Year. Head coach Will Roberts was also recognized as the Sun Belt Coach of the Year, as announced by the Sun Belt Conference on Sunday (Nov. 2). Blaise, Libby Holmes, Jen Handy, Margret Edda Bjarnadottir and Beth Strutton received all-conference honors as well.
 
Blaise is ULM's first Sun Belt Player of the Year, as well as Blaise's first all-conference recognition. 
 
Skylar Blaise continues to prove she can dominate the Sun Belt in her third year at ULM. She has collected 12 goals across the season, only not scoring in six matches. With 23 career goals, Blaise has broken the all-time scoring record at ULM in her three seasons. The senior captain leads the Sun Belt with 27 points and four game-winning goals, adding three assists to her stat line as well. She posted a brace in the 2-2 draw against South Alabama, then followed things up with a three-point showing in the 3-1 victory at Southern Miss. It was Blaise's game winner against Little Rock that set off the 13-match unbeaten streak for the Warhawks. She also scored the 65^th-minute game winner at Arkansas State for the 1-0 win. The forward has claimed Offensive Player of the Week twice this season, also ranked 94^th on the Midseason TopDrawerSoccer rankings. 
 
"Skylar's been electric all season," said head coach Will Roberts. "Her drive, creativity and finishing ability have set the tone for our entire attack. She's a difference-maker every time she steps on the field and fully deserves this recognition. I know how hard she has worked to achieve this, and I'm incredibly proud of her for completing this goal."
 
Roberts' honor is the second Coach of the Year award that ULM has received since joining the Sun Belt in 2006. Keyton Wheelock received the honor in 2016.
 
Will Roberts has turned the ULM Soccer program into a powerhouse in 2025, leading the team to its first season undefeated in league play. Roberts' 2025 Warhawks are the greatest turnaround in the league this year, as they were selected seventh in the Sun Belt Preseason Poll, now claiming their first Sun Belt regular season title. Claiming 11 wins and holding the longest active unbeaten streak in the league (13), Roberts has made the Warhawks the team to watch. With a defensive line claiming six shutouts and posting the most wins for the program since 2004, the Warhawks are consistent contenders in the Sun Belt Conference these days, thanks to Coach Roberts.
 
With five players named All-Sun Belt, ULM claims the most all-conference honors since joining the Sun Belt. The Warhawks hold the second-most players named all-conference in 2025, as Old Dominion picks up six. As Blaise and Holmes are named to the First Team, ULM also claims the most players awarded to an all-conference first team since 2005. This is each player's first All-Sun Belt selection.
 
Libby Holmes has had a phenomenal season anchoring the ULM backline. The junior returned from injury last season and became a leader–and team captain–in 2025. Holmes has scored five goals this season, including a game winner vs. Marshall, as well as four assists to be second on the team with 14 points. The captain led the Warhawk defense to six shutouts and an unbeaten conference season. She claimed Defensive Player of the Week on September 9 after notching a goal against Southern and securing the shutout. Holmes also stood out on October 19 against Troy, securing her first career brace and recording an assist for a five-point game. 
 
"Libby is the heartbeat of our back line," said Roberts. "Her consistency, leadership and ability to organize those around her make everyone better."
 
Goalkeeper Jen Handy has remained steadfast in her second season at ULM to claim All-Sun Belt Second Team honors, maintaining a 1.40 goals-against average and helping the defensive efforts to an unbeaten record in Sun Belt play and at home. Handy has recorded 37 saves, reaching a season-high five saves against Texas State and at Georgia Southern. She has posted four clean sheets so far this and combined for a fifth, going unbeaten since August in goal. The sophomore sits at fourth in the Sun Belt with her four shutouts.
 
"Jen's been outstanding for us — calm under pressure, commanding in her box and always coming up with the big saves when we need them." said Roberts.
 
Margret Edda Bjarnadottir has made an immediate impact in midfield for ULM this season, picking up All-Sun Belt Third Team honors. She sits at second in program history with nine assists on the season, leading the team. Her nine assists rank 14th in the NCAA, and she averages 0.53 assists per game (second SBC, 19th NCAA). Bjarnadottir scored a goal against Marshall, also posting an assist for a three-point showing. The midfielder frequently contributes to the scoring efforts by kicking many of the Warhawk set pieces throughout the season, ULM converting 16 set pieces into goals. 
 
"Margret is one of those players who quietly controls games," said Roberts. "She's a true engine in midfield. We couldn't have won a title without all her contributions."
 
Beth Strutton rounds out the all-conference selections as a third team honoree. Strutton is yet another piece of the ULM backline that has secured six shutouts and a 13-match unbeaten streak. Strutton, in her sophomore season and listed as a team captain, scored her first goal of 2025 and first career assist in the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana for a three-point match. She then posted a career-high three shots and registered a goal against Nicholls. Another assist came against Southern, and she collected her third goal in the 3-2 win over App State. Strutton's goal against App State was off a corner kick, promoting ULM's 48% conversion rate from set pieces. 
 
"Beth's development this season has been incredible," said Roberts. "She's tough, composed and brings real balance to our defensive unit."
 
Seeded third in the Sun Belt Championships, ULM will take on six-seeded Marshall on Monday (Nov. 3) at 11 a.m. in Foley, Ala.
 
The full list of All-Sun Belt awards are below:
 
Player of the Year
Skylar Blaise, ULM

Offensive Player of the Year 
Ginny Lackey, James Madison
 
Midfielder of the Year
Miku Kurihara, Ragin' Cajuns
 
Defensive Player of the Year
Ashlynn Kulha, Old Dominion
 
Goalkeeper of the Year
Sierra Giorgio, South Alabama

Newcomer of the Year 
Salma Elhaimer, Ragin' Cajuns

Freshman of the Year
Carson Glenn, Ragin' Cajuns
 
Coach of the Year
Will Roberts, ULM
 
All-Sun Belt Conference First Team
F – Skylar Blaise, ULM
F – Aaliyah Faddoul, Georgia State 
F – Carson Glenn, Louisiana 
F – Ginny Lackey, James Madison 
M – Helen Alormenu, Texas State 
M – Andrea Iljkic, South Alabama 
M – Miku Kurihara, Louisiana 
D – Libby Holmes, ULM
D – Ashlynn Kulha, Old Dominion 
D – Victoria Meza, Texas State 
GK – Sierra Giorgio, South Alabama 
 
All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team
F – Bailey Fisher, Marshall 
F – Zamiyah Hill, South Alabama 
F – Mady Soumare, Texas State 
M – Marcella Alves, Marshall 
M – Jeanette Fieldsend, James Madison 
M – Gry Boe Thrysoe, Old Dominion 
D – Fernanda Dantas, Marshall 
D – Eefje Botjer, Coastal Carolina 
D – Reese Gordon, Georgia State 
D – Jordan Yang, James Madison 
GK – Jen Handy, ULM
 
All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team
F – Ashley Economopoulos, Old Dominion 
F – Salma Elhaimer, Louisiana 
F – Izzi Wood, App State 
M – Andrea Balcazar Algarin, Old Dominion 
M – Melina Descary, South Alabama 
M – Yuliia Khrystiuk, Old Dominion 
M – Margret Edda Bjarnadottir, ULM
D – Amelia Campanella, South Alabama 
D – Kajsa Ekstrom, Marshall 
D – Beth Strutton, ULM
GK – Ellie Goodrich, Old Dominion