WINONA, Minn. — In early November, the Saint Mary's University trio of Alexis Nguyen (West Corvina, Calif.), Haddy Falkman (Waconia, Minn.), and Jordyn Matthews (Seattle, Wash.) were recognized among the best of the best in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
 
 Monday afternoon, that recognition expanded to the entire Midwest.
 
Nguyen, Falkman, and Matthews — all First-Team All-MIAC selections — were all named Division III Third-Team All-Region IX, the United Soccer Coaches Association announced.
 
Nguyen — the MIAC's Defensive Player of the Year — was a literal brick wall for the Cardinals in 2021, allowing just six goals in nine conference starts, while compiling a 0.68 goals-against-average and an .875 save percentage. The sophomore amassed 42 saves and recorded five shutouts in conference action — and was a huge factor in the Cardinals' third-place regular-season finish and run to the MIAC Tournament semifinals.
 
For the season, Nguyen started 14 of the team's 20 contests, boasting a 0.45 goals-against-average and .891 save percentage, while stopping 49 shots and collecting eight shutouts. Nguyen's 0.45 GAA and .891 save percentage — not to mention her meager six goals allowed — were all tops among MIAC goalkeepers.
 
Falkman closed out her junior campaign scoring five goals and adding two assists for 12 points in 12 conference contests. She scored three game-winning goals and converted on the lone penalty kick she attempted. For the season, Falkman led the Cardinals in goals (10) and points (24), while chipping in four assists. Her 10 goals and 24 points were not only team- and career-highs, but were also No. 2 in the MIAC.
 
Matthews, a two-time First-Team All-MIAC selection, was second to Falkman in both goals (4) and points (11) in conference play, while leading the team in assists (3), shots (42), and shots on goal (22). Matthews also netted a pair of game-winning goals. One of just three Cardinals to start all 20 games in 2021, Matthews closed out her senior campaign with eight goals, a team- and conference-best six assists, and 22 points.
 
Nguyen, Falkman, and Matthews were among 13 players from the MIAC to earn All-Region IX honors. Regular-season and tournament-champion St. Catherine led the way with five all-region picks — including the conference's only two first-teamers in Sofia Campbell and Amanda Elton. Augsburg had two named to the second team, and Gustavus, St. Scholastica, and Saint Benedict each had one honoree.