Kennesaw State senior defender Abby Roth and sophomore midfielder Isabella Contreras were selected to the ASUN Sun Conference preseason women’s soccer all-conference team that was voted on by the league coaches and announced on Monday (Aug. 7).
Both Roth and Contreras are coming off strong 2016 seasons in which they earned second team All-ASUN Conference honors and helped the Owls to the semifinals of the ASUN Conference Tournament.
“It is always great to have our players receive recognition from the ASUN and I am proud of Abby and Bella as this preseason recognition comes as a result of the hard work and dedication that they have consistently given to our team throughout their KSU careers,” head coach Benji Walton said. “They both take great pride in their game and are two of the most selfless players that we have. I look forward to watching them continue to develop and grow throughout this upcoming season.”
Jacksonville senior forward Joelle D’Entremont was selected preseason Player of the Year, while Lipscomb senior Niamh Rawlins was named Defensive Player of the Year and Emily Plotz of Stetson was tabbed Goalkeeper of the Year.
The conference also announced the preseason coaches’ poll and defending champion Florida Gulf Coast was selected to repeat. The Eagles received 61 points and five first-place votes while Lipscomb finished second, receiving 57 points and two first-place votes. Stetson also garnered one first-place vote and finished third in the voting with 47 points.
Kennesaw State, which finished 10-8-1 overall and tied for fourth in the ASUN standings a year ago, was picked fourth after garnering 36 points.
The Owls make their 2016 debut on Tuesday (Aug. 8) when they travel to Cookeville, Tenn. to face Tennessee Tech in an exhibition beginning at 7 p.m. (ET). Kennesaw State will make its season home debut on Friday (Aug. 11) when it hosts South Carolina in an exhibition beginning at 4 p.m. (ET). KSU officially opens its 2017 season on Aug. 18 when it travels to Rock Hills, S.C. to meet Winthrop beginning at 7 p.m. (ET).
