Nov. 2, 2006

MEMPHIS - Memphis women's soccer player Maiko Higashiyama led the way for Memphis' postseason Conference USA honors as the sophomore was named the league's Newcomer of the Year. Fellow Lady Tiger Shoko Mikami was also named to the first team, and sophomore Kate Murphy was named to the All-C-USA Second Team.

In her first season with the Lady Tigers, Higashiyama finished the regular season as team's third leading scorer. She played a critical role in Memphis 6-2-1 conference finish, which helped the Lady Tigers earn a best ever No. 3 seed in the C-USA Championship.

In 2005, the Tokyo native was an NAIA All-American, and led Martin-Methodist to a national championship. This season she has scored three gamewinners for Memphis, including one in double overtime against Rice to give the Lady Tigers a 4-3 conference win.

Senior Shoko Mikami was named to the league's first team for a second straight year. The 2005 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year lead the league in points (32) and goals (12) for a second consecutive season and was third in the conference in assists with eight.

Sophomore defender Kate Murphy was named to the All-C-USA Second Team. The Anchorage, Alaska native was one of Memphis' most consistent backs on a defense that is allowing less than 10 shots and just one goal per-match.

Memphis defeated East Carolina 2-1 in double overtime last night in the first round of the C-USA Championship. The Lady Tigers will face seventh seeded UAB on Friday at 7 p.m.

2006 C-USA WOMEN'S SOCCER AWARDS

Offensive Player of the Year Olivia O'Rear, SMU

Defensive Player of the Year Ashley Gunter, SMU

Freshman of the Year Emily Beans, Colorado College

Newcomer of the Year Maiko Higashiyama, Memphis

Coach of the Year John Cossaboon, SMU

All-Conference First Team F: Shoko Mikami, Memphis F: Olivia O'Rear, SMU F: Roberta Pelarigo, UCF MF: Maiko Higashiyama, Memphis MF: Sophia Mundy, Houston MF: Hanna Wilde, UCF D: Beth Martin, Rice D: Kat Norris, East Carolina D: Carley Phillips, SMU D: Molly Uyenishi, Colorado College GK: Ashley Gunter, SMU

All-Conference Second Team F: Kimber Bailey, SMU F: Emily Beans, Colorado College F: Sally Palmer, UAB MF: Rachael Axon, UAB MF: Susanne Collins, SMU MF: Anoop Josan, UTEP D: Laura Barber, Rice D: Nikki Moore, UCF D: Kate Murphy, Memphis GK: Amber Campbell, East Carolina GK: Jennifer Manis, UCF

All-Freshman Team Emily Beans, F, Colorado College Sarah Kirkley, MF, East Carolina Molly Snead, MF/F, Marshall Erin Scott, F, Rice Kim Peabody, F, SMU Megan Cash, MF, Tulsa Rachael Axon, D/MF, UAB Nikki Moore, D, UCF Becca Thomas, MF, UCF Anoop Josan, F, UTEP Tameka Sumter, F, UTEP