CENTERVILLE, Ind. -- The women's soccer program at Shawnee State struck first with two big goals from senior forward Haynna Addy and senior midfielder Carlota Ipina Taylor, but couldn't hold the lead as the Indiana-East RedWolves' women's soccer program rallied with four second half goals in a 4-2 decision that resulted in the end of Shawnee State's women's soccer season in a River States Conference Quarterfinal that was held at Centerville High School in Centerville, Ind.
Both teams battled in a highly-contested opening half that saw Indiana-East slightly outshoot Shawnee State by a 6-4 margin, but in the second half, the Bears were outshot by the RedWolves by a 13-5 count.
No. 17 scores 17th career goal
Despite this, Shawnee State put a very serious scare into Indiana-East -- and thanks to one Haynna Addy, the Bears were able to get on the board first.
Receiving a pass from fellow teammate Madison Culp, Addy's finish allowed Shawnee State to strike first with a 41st minute goal that gave SSU a 1-0 advantage in the 41st minute of play.
Fittingly, the conversion was also the 17th career goal for the individual that has worn No. 17 throughout her career at Shawnee State. Addy finished the evening having posted 17 goals, four assists and 38 points for her Shawnee State career, having scored at least two goals in every season that she played. Addy's appearance on Wednesday evening was her 59th career game.
With the assist that helped put Shawnee State up by a 1-0 margin at the halftime break, Culp collected five goals, five assists and 15 points for her career following Wednesday's match. Culp has appeared in 64 career contests at SSU and made her 50th start Wednesday evening.
Carlota cans shot in 50th
Having made an impact throughout the season with her strong leg, senior Carlota Ipina Taylor added in a cushion for Shawnee State just five minutes into the second half.
The senior, following an Indiana-East foul, hammered home her third goal of the season, and her second goal against the Red Wolves in 2024 alone, with a convincing kick that helped Shawnee State take a 2-0 advantage with a shade under 40 minutes left to play in the match.
A four-year player who appeared in 66 contests and started 29 of those affairs, Ipina Taylor finished her career with eight goals, six assists and 22 points in a Shawnee State uniform.
Seniors
No. 4, Julye Derenemsnil – Paris, France
A senior defender and goalkeeper from Paris, France, Julye Derenemsnil's leadership has been key to the success of the Shawnee State women's soccer program.
Over her two-year career, Derenemsnil appeared in 31 matches and started in 22 of those contests. In 2023, Derenemsnil made a successful transition to goalkeeper, making 45 saves in goal to ultimately earn Second-Team All-River States Conference honors during the 2023 season.
Along with her play as a collegiate athlete, Derenemsnil assisted the Shawnee State women's soccer program greatly off of the pitch last summer, helping aid the transition between coaching staffs with her committed and dedicated work in the Shawnee State Athletic Department over the summer.
A sport management major who "really enjoys" the program, Derenemsnil holds a strong GPA over 3.75, which she credits to her teachers being "supportive and understanding."
Regarding her time within the Shawnee State soccer program, Derenemsnil says that "soccer was definitely a roller coaster, but it was a good experience, especially learning to be a keeper. I have met lots of incredible people who became family, and I am really grateful that I was given the opportunity to carry on with my collegial soccer career here at Shawnee. My teammates and coaches gave me lots of opportunities to learn and grow. They always kept me on my toes and taught me to always believe in myself."
Derenemsnil's favorite memories at Shawnee State include working for the Maintenance & Utilities Department and working with her colleagues, Murr, Terry, and Travis, all while becoming a goalkeeper and successfully contributing to the team while learning on the job in her junior year.
"I want to keep playing soccer at the highest level in the USA," Derenemsnil said. "I also want to become a soccer coach at the collegiate level because I want to support and help my athletes be successful on and off of the field. I would like to thank my family, my best friends Jessie and Megan, Murr, Terry, Travis, Steve, and all the guys in the maintenance shop, my old coach at Northeast Community College Chad Miller, Chris Murphy for teaching me to be a keeper, and everybody who cared and supported me through my journey."
No. 10, Carlota Ipina Taylor – Madrid, Spain
A senior who has been a veteran talent for the women's soccer program at Shawnee State throughout the course of her career, senior midfielder Carlota Ipina Taylor posted eight goals, six assists and 22 points over the course of her career at SSU.
Ipina's poise and strong leg, especially on free kicks, has already made a huge difference in 2024 as Ipina scored a goal in a 1-1 tie with Cincinnati-Clermont and scored twice against Indiana-East this year.
"Playing soccer while pursuing my academic studies at Shawnee State has been a transformative experience," Ipina said. "Balancing athletics and academics has taught me time management and discipline. Playing soccer has brought me a lot of happiness, meeting my best friends here and being able to play the sport we love together. I have made a lot of good memories in these four years, and I will cherish those moments forever."
Ipina, who considers her favorite memory as Shawnee State's victory over IU East in the quarterfinals of the RSC Conference Tournament in 2023, called the victory "a great game. "The feeling after winning was unreal. Being able to celebrate such a big win with all of my friends was incredible."
"My teammates and coaches have been a key component in my development, both as a player and as a person," Ipina said. "They've created a sense of belonging, especially being far away from home, they have made the distance more bearable. I am so grateful for all the friendships I have made, for the people that are still here as well as the people that left, I couldn't have done it without them. I want to thank Joe for showing up when it was most needed. I wish I had one more year of eligibility because it was a pleasure learning from you and being coached by you. You truly care about us, and that makes us want to achieve things to make you proud."
Ipina, who holds a GPA near 3.4, plans to pursue a master's degree in athletic training at Otterbein University, where she plans to become an athletic trainer.
"I would like to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to go overseas and play the sport I love," Ipina said. "I would like to thank my mum in particular for always believing in me and being there for me, even when we are in different countries with different time zones. I would like to thank my girlfriend for showing up at the right place and right time. She brings so much joy and happiness into my life. And lastly, I want to thank my best friends for all the good laughs and good times spent together."
No. 12 – Kya Edwards – Chaguanas, Trindad and Tobago
A senior defender who has been a key piece to SSU's backline with her length, Shawnee State senior Kya Edwards appeared in 22 games with eight starts over the course of her career. The native of Trinidad and Tobago brings with her a humble attitude and consistent support, even through injury.
"Playing soccer for Shawnee state has been a great experience," Edwards said. "Being a part of this team not only developed my skills, but taught me the true meaning of teamwork and discipline."
Edwards, whose favorite memory is the team celebration on the bus after the 2023 RSC Quarterfinal victory against IU East, says that her teammates and coaches have been the best support system to her during her difficult times these past semesters. "I love them so much," Edwards said. "Also, Coach Joe has made a great impact to this team, and has made me feel so much more comfortable while I'm on the field."
A sociology major, Edwards' future plans include going into the police academy in Florida to become a police officer and work her way up to becoming a detective or a Sargent. Edwards also plans to open a few businesses on the side."
"I would personally like to thank (Coach) Chris Murphy for always seeing the best in me and always pushing me to keep my head up during my most depressed days, even though it's hard. Also, I want to thank Coach Joe for being such a good coach to this team, and I want to thank our athletic director, Gerald Cadogan, for always doing his best for us."
No. 24, Claire Favre – Besancon, France
A three-year starter for Shawnee State who has made an impact on the defensive backline throughout her SSU career, Claire Favre has scored four goals for her Shawnee State women's soccer career and has also contributed in a positive manner to the SSU women's tennis program throughout her time with the Bears.
Favre, who played in 54 games and started 50 of those contests, is a team captain who continues to be reliable and consistent throughout her time with the Bears. In addition to leading Shawnee State to just its second-ever Conference Semifinal appearance in program history, Favre was a part of a tennis program that matched the most team victories in a single season in program history during the 2023-24 season. Favre was named as a Second-Team All-RSC honoree in 2023.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity I have had to combine my passion with my studies," Favre said. "It was an honor to be part of this team, and being a leader meant a lot to me. I learned so much through this experience, and it has shaped who I am as a person."
Favre, whose favorite memory was scoring her first Shawnee State goal against Georgetown (Ky.) back in 2022, says her teammates and coaches have been "like family" to her, especially considering the distance from overseas.
"Coming from a different country to play soccer in a new environment was both exciting and challenging," Favre said. "I found comfort being with my teammates on and off the field, and I'm grateful to have found them along the way."
With a GPA north of 3.9 in her back pocket, Favre, an exercise science major, plans on getting a master's degree in athletic training as she attempts to pursue becoming an athletic trainer.
"I would like to thank my family, who supported me throughout this journey," Favre said. "They allowed me to go overseas to follow my dreams and never doubted my potential for success. I also want to thank Joe for joining the program when we needed him most; it was a pleasure and an honor to play for him, and I look forward to assisting him next semester. Chris also deserves recognition for all the hard work he has put into this team and the dedication he shows to us. Finally, I want to thank my best friends for all the great times and memories they brought into this experience."
No. 77, Mekenzie Loper – Portsmouth, Ohio
A multi-sport athlete at nearby Clay High School who was a key piece on several programs, most notably the Clay Co-Ed soccer program and Clay's softball program, Mekenzie Loper appeared in 22 contests over the past two seasons and made eight starts to boot over the course of her Shawnee State women's soccer career. Loper has become a key contributor to the team with her speed and cerebral play.
"Playing soccer at Shawnee was one of the best decisions that I made," Loper said. "It was very scary at first and it put me out of my comfort zone many times, but through that I have gained friends and memories that I am forever grateful for."
Considering her favorite memory to be newbie karaoke with the men's and women's programs, Loper says that her teammates "mean the world to her."
"Every single one of them always have my best interest at heart and I greatly appreciate that," Loper said. "This last year, especially with Joe, has really helped me love playing again. There is never a dull moment with him or any of my teammates around, and it is really refreshing."
Loper, who has a GPA above 3.15, is a chemistry major who will graduate with a bachelor's degree in the field in the spring.
"I want to say thank you to my parents and grandparents for supporting and encouraging me to do my best in athletics and academics," Loper said. "I want to thank my friends for pushing me to be my best self and for always making me laugh. Lastly, I would like to thank Chris and Joe for welcoming me to the team and for all they did this season."
Along with the five seniors who walked in Senior Day festivities last Thursday against Midway (Ky.), the following also returned to the program for the 2024-25 season
Haynna Addy: Has fought through injury to score 17 career goals and has provided a spark for the program on countless occasions.
Madison Culp: A captain like Favre, Culp is a consummate leader who holds a GPA above 3.7 and continues to provide leadership at every turn.
Bianca Robinson: An experienced defender who already has a bachelor's degree, Robinson holds a perfect 4.0 GPA through her graduate studies so far and has been big with her energy and leadership components.
Alex Hurn: A 4.0 graduate student who last played during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season where she played in both the fall and the spring, Hurn has four career goals and has been vital as her own leadership has helped with the successful transition between coaching staffs and ensured a successful season that goes well beyond the scoreboard.
