JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the first time since 2011, a member of the Carson-Newman women's soccer team garnered All-SAC honors. In fact, three Eagles picked up postseason awards.
Freshman defender Helen Seed (England) earned first team All-Conference accolades with teammates Mikayla Gregg (Newport, Tenn.) and Maleya Garrison (Hendersonville, Tenn.) also being recognized by the conference.
"On a personal level," Seed said, "I think that I did pretty well. Playing with [Megan Peterson] has been great; we've formed quite a tight bond."
Seed, a 5-11 center back from Preston, England, was named to the All-Conference first team defensive line. The freshman started all 17 matches for C-N totaling 1503 minutes.
"As a team," Seed said, "it has been a rough year. But we have a lot to work on for next season, and we know where we can improve."
From the back line, Seed provided two goals and an assist for five points; her five points land her in third place on the team while her two goals tie her for third. Seed's goals include the game winner in C-N's 4-1 conference victory over Mars Hill, and the team's third goal in its 4-3 overtime loss to Lincoln Memorial.
"Being selected was a great achievement," Seed said. "There are a lot of things that I need to work on to be even better next year. I'm looking forward to it."
Gregg earned second team All-SAC honors with five goals and one assist to her name. "This is a big accomplishment for me," Gregg said. "It was a goal of mine my freshman year coming into Carson-Newman to receive an award by my junior year."
Her 11 points rest her in the top spot on the team. Gregg played in all 17 matches for the Eagles' and started in 14 and for 1312 minutes. The 5-6 junior midfielder released 36 shots and placed 22 on target for a .611 shots on goal percentage.
"There's always a step up and room to improve," Gregg said. "That's my goal for next year."
Garrison, a striker/midfield hybrid, received honorable mention recognition for the forward position. The 5-3 senior ended regular season holding down second place with three goals and six points. "It means a lot," Garrison said, "to be recognized."
Garrison released 29 shots and landed 22 on frame; her shots on goal percentage of .759 was second highest on the team and one of the top in the conference. Garrison supplied C-N's game winning goal in its 1-0 home opening contest against Young Harris, assisted by Gregg.
"I am proud," Garrison said, "that the team kept working hard through the season despite not always getting the result we wanted."
The women finished the season 3-14, 1-10 in the South Atlantic Conference.
