Interview: Holly Talbut-Smith and Helen Smith
Rock Hill, S.C. – In its annual preseason all-league voting, Carson-Newman posted a league-best four student-athletes on First-Team All-Conference, and landed another three on the Second-Team, the league announced today.
Senior forward Lauren Wade headlines the first-team forwards as the Northern Iceland product is the reigning South Atlantic Conference Female Athlete of the year/ Wade ended the season leading the nation in points per game with an average of 3.00. She posted a goals per game average of 1.18 and an assists per game mark of 0.65, both of which placed her third in the country.
Wade's 20 goals were the seventh most in the nation and tied her for the fifth-most in program history in a single season. Her point total placed her sixth in the nation and third in Carson-Newman history. Wade was also All-America and earned Southeast Region Player of the Year honors.
Junior teammate Holly Talbut-Smith joined Wade on the list of first-team forwards, having picked up eight goals and nine assists a season ago.
Senior defender Helen Seed was honored with preseason first-team selection for the second consecutive season, helping the Eagles to 14 shutouts last season.
Sophomore net minder Jacqueline Burns received her first preseason award honors with a first-team selection after a 17-4-1 season with 14 clean sheets.
Sophomore midfielder Lara Hallgrimsdottir, defender Averi Williams, and defender Alex Brandan were all awarded second-team honors. Brandan and Hallgrimsdottir earn their first preseason awards. Williams, who was named Honorable Mention All-SAC after last season, led all fullbacks with four goals and 11 points in 2016.
You can view the full list of the 2017 Preseason All-League below.
2017 Preseason All-League
First Team All-Conference
F – Lauren Wade, Carson-Newman
F – Holly Talbut-Smith, Carson-Newman
F – Alyssa Ortega, Newberry
F – Thea Mallett, Queens
MF – Abigael McGarel, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Charlotte Ring, Queens
MF – Breona Tate, Mars Hill
MF – Katja Andersson, Tusculum
D – Helen Seed, Carson-Newman
D – Helen Ramsey, Lenoir-Rhyne
D – Mariah Lewis, Queens
D – Carlie Thornber, Tusculum
GK – Jacqueline Burns, Carson-Newman
Second Team All-Conference
F – Kimmi Moore, Wingate
F – Hannah Van Eerden, Lenoir-Rhyne
F – Becky Frost, Catawba
F – Taylor Leyble, Wingate
MF – Colleen Zickert, Wingate
MF – Sonja Ballmert, Tusculum
MF – Lara Hallgrimsdottir, Carson-Newman
MF – Cheyenne Upton, Tusculum
D – Averi Williams, Carson-Newman
D – Katilyn Fletcher, Wingate
D – Christina Shimshock, Lenoir-Rhyne
D – Alex Brandan, Carson-Newman
GK – Alexis Jones, Wignate
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