Nov. 2, 2010

IRVING, Texas - Four members of the University of Memphis women's soccer squad received All-Conference USA honors, as announced by the league office on Tuesday. The All-C-USA teams were voted on by the league's coaches.

Junior defender Lizzy Simonin was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and also earned First Team All-C-USA honors. Simonin, a two-time selection C-USA Defensive Player of the Week selection, helped Memphis post a regular-season school-record 0.71 goal-against average. Simonin also played a large role on set pieces, going 2-for-2 on penalty kicks and added another goal off a corner kick.This is Simonin's second appearance on the All-C-USA team (2008 Second Team).

Becoming Memphis' first four-time First Team All-C-USA selection, Vendula Strnadova was named the C-USA Midfielder of the Year. Strnadova remained a constant threat for Memphis, scoring four goals and adding six assists this season. This is Strnadova's second C-USA Midfielder of the Year honor, and she becomes only the second C-USA women's soccer student-athlete to earn first team honors all four seasons (Kelly Roethe, Marquette, 1996-1999).

Freshmen Alena Strndaova and Rasheeda Ansari were named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. This is the third-straight season Memphis has had multiple players named to the All-Freshman squad and the fifth time in program history.

Alena Strnadova, who also earned Third Team All-C-USA honors, played in 17 matches and scored three goals. Ansari burst onto the scene at Memphis with five goals including three game-winners, and three assists.

The Lady Tigers open defense of their three-straight C-USA Tournament Championships on Friday at 4 p.m. (CT) against the winner of the Houston/Marshall match-up. The 2010 C-USA Women's Soccer Championship begins on Wednesday in Orlando, Fla.

Offensive Player of the Year- Tishia Jewell (UCF)
Defensive Player of the Year - Lizzy Simonin (Memphis)
Midfielder of the Year - Vendula Strnadova (Memphis)
Freshman of the Year - Jordan O'Brien (Tulsa)
Coach of the Year - Susan Bush (Houston)

All-Conference First Team
F: Tiffany Brown, Colorado College
F: Lauri Byrne, Houston
F: Tishia Jewell, UCF
MF: Katie Jackson, UCF
MF: Jordan O'Brien, Tulsa
MF: Katelyn Rhodes, Houston
MF: Vendula Strnadova, Memphis
D: Amy Beger, Rice
D: Lauren Shepherd, SMU
D: Lizzy Simonin, Memphis
GK : Aline Reis, UCF

All-Conference Second Team
F: Erika Duncan, Marshall
F: Laura McCalla, UAB
F: Kim Newsome, UCF
MF: Kristin Medeiros, SMU
MF: Carolyn Polcari, UAB
MF: Jessica Woodward, East Carolina
D: Marissa Diggs, UCF
D: Kaitlyn Eidson, SMU
D: Sierra Keeler, Colorado College
D: Danielle Munoz, Houston
GK: Caitlin Hulyo, Colorado College
GK: Cami Koski, Houston

All-Conference Third Team
F: Britney Lyman, Colorado College
F: Amanda Malkiewicz, East Carolina
F: Claire Nicholson, Tulsa
F: Hope Ward, Rice
MF: Katie Dorman, UTEP
MF: Alena Strnadova, Memphis
MF: Sarah Vinson, Marshall
D: Amanda Broz, East Carolina
D: Freya Holdaway, Marshall
D: Bianca Joswiak, UCF

All-Freshman Team
Sierra Keeler, Colorado College
Cami Koski, Houston
Jasmine Martinez, Houston
Danielle Munoz, Houston
Rasheeda Ansari, Memphis
Alena Strnadova, Memphis
Jessica Howard, Rice
Hayley Williams, Rice
Claire Nicholson, Tulsa
Jordan O'Brien, Tulsa
Marissa Diggs, UCF
Azia Nicholson, UTEP