Seelhoff named third-team all-region

Montana senior forward Chloe Seelhoff, who led the Grizzlies in both goals and assists despite missing the season's final five matches, was named third-team All-West Region on Tuesday by the United Soccer Coaches.

Seelhoff becomes the 22nd player in program history to be voted all-region. It marks the seventh time in eight seasons under coach Chris Citowicki that Montana has had at least one player earn all-region honors.

"We're getting ranked regionally on a consistent basis and now it's leading to things like this," said Citowicki, who has coached six players to all-region accolades over the past three seasons. "Chloe is surrounded on the (all-region) list by really good players from really high-profile programs."

After playing at Washington for two seasons, Seelhoff was voted second-team All-Big Sky Conference as a junior when she had six goals and one assist in her first year at Montana.

She opened her final year as a Grizzly with a bang, scoring twice as Montana kicked off this past season with a 3-0 victory over Southern Utah.

After scoring in consecutive matches against Boise State, Nevada and MSU Billings, giving her five goals through the season's first six matches, Seelhoff became the target of every opponent's scouting report, which allowed her assist opportunities to flourish.

She had four assists over a six-match stretch, then had two more in Montana's 4-0 home victory over Weber State, a result that went a long way in sending the Grizzlies to their third consecutive outright Big Sky regular-season championship, a first in league history.

Three days after her virtuoso performance against Weber State, Seelhoff suffered a broken collarbone early in the second half against Idaho State, seemingly ending her senior season.

She got a ceremonial start against Sacramento State on Senior Day, then had a memorable moment in front of a program-record crowd in early November when Montana once again faced Weber State, this time in the Big Sky Championship title match.

With her left arm in a sling and cinched tightly to her body, she took Montana's second penalty kick in the team's shootout against the Wildcats. She scored inside the right post and celebrated on her way back to her teammates in a moment that went viral on social media.

Despite playing less than two full seasons, Seelhoff ended her career with 13 goals scored and seven assists as a Grizzly. Her 33 points rank 18th in program history.

"Very, very special player," said Citowicki, "one of the most joyful kids I've had the pleasure of watching in a long time. Everybody felt that way, even coaches from other teams. It was a delight to watch her play, even if she was playing against you."

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