Zak & Mallory named preseason All-Southland
8/10/2011 2:49:00 PM | Soccer
Junior Kirby Zak of Weatherford and sophomore Tricia Mallory of Spring were voted as preseason first team honorees.
Stephen F. Austin was voted by the head coaches as the preseason team favorite. Southeastern Louisiana was picked second and UTSA and Texas State tied for third in the voting.
Lamar and Sam Houston tied for fifth place and were followed in the team predictions by Northwestern State, McNeese State, Central Arkansas and Nicholls.
Last season Zak became the first Bearkat women's soccer player to earn first team All-Southland Conference honors. She is a two-time all-league selection, earning honorable mention honors as a freshman in 2009. Zak ranks fifth in career goals at Sam Houston with 14 and has played 3,311 minutes in 41 matches, totaling 68 shots in her career.
"Kirby got better last year as the season progressed and was a real handful for our opponents during conference play," Sam Houston head coach Tom Brown said. "She is very unpredictable on the ball and can score some fantastic goals."
Mallory is the first Bearkat women's soccer player to be voted as the recipient of a regular season league individual honor. She was the Southland Conference's "Freshman of the Year" in 2010 after setting a Sam Houston record for most goals by a freshman with 10 . Mallory ranked second in the Southland in total season goals and was a second team All-Southland player.
"Tricia had an outstanding season for us last year," Brown said. "It is hard to believe but I think she became a better goal scorer during our spring season. I am looking forward to seeing what she can do this upcoming season."
Sam Houston kicks off its 2011 schedule with a road trip to Waco to meet the Baylor Bears Friday, August 19. The Kats' home opener will be Sunday, August 21 against Houston Baptist. Both games will begin at 7 p.m.
All home matches for Sam Houston at Joseph Pritchett Field are free.
2011 Southland Conference Soccer
Preseason Head Coaches Poll
|
Rank |
Team |
Points |
|
1. |
Stephen F. Austin |
75 |
|
2. |
Southeastern Louisiana |
70 |
|
3. |
UTSA |
65 |
|
Texas State |
65 |
|
|
5. |
Lamar |
44 |
|
Sam Houston State |
44 |
|
|
7. |
Northwestern State |
32 |
|
8. |
McNeese State |
30 |
|
9. |
Central Arkansas |
16 |
|
10. |
Nicholls State |
9 |
2011 All-Southland Conference Soccer Preseason Team
First Team
|
Name |
Class |
Pos. |
University |
|
Maiya Cooper |
Jr. |
Forward |
Southeastern Louisiana |
|
Karly Dagys |
Jr. |
Forward |
Southeastern Louisiana |
|
So. |
Forward |
Sam Houston State |
|
|
Kylie Louw |
Jr. |
Midfielder |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
Jr. |
Midfielder |
Sam Houston State |
|
|
Laura Sadler |
Jr. |
Midfielder |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
Jordan King |
Sr. |
Defender |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
Anka Grotle |
So. |
Defender |
UTSA |
|
Kyle MacIntosh |
Sr. |
Defender |
Southeastern Louisiana |
|
Lacey Bockhaus |
Sr. |
Goalkeeper |
Southeastern Louisiana |
|
Kelsey Bernard* |
Sr. |
Midfielder |
Texas State |
Second Team
|
Name |
Class |
Pos. |
University |
|
Maria Jose Rojas |
So. |
Forward |
UTSA |
|
Erica Michaud |
Sr. |
Forward |
Texas State |
|
Serena Hines |
Jr. |
Forward |
Texas State |
|
Johna Germany |
So. |
Midfielder |
McNeese State |
|
Rachel O'Steen |
Sr. |
Midfielder |
Northwestern State |
|
Breanne Vernon |
Jr. |
Midfielder |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
Edwina Forbes |
Sr. |
Defender |
Stephen F. Austin |
|
Alissa Scott |
Jr. |
Defender |
Texas State |
|
Emma Staley |
Jr. |
Defender |
Texas State |
|
Lauren Frazier |
Jr. |
Goalkeeper |
Texas State |
|
Lisa Hance |
Sr. |
Forward |
Lamar |
