Nov. 4, 2003

Memphis, Tenn.-- - For the first time in school history two University of Memphis women's soccer players garnered First Team All-Conference USA honors in the same season as forward Yuiko Konno and midfielder Nicky McLeod were both named to the squad announced Tuesday by the league office. Jessica Gjertsen was the last Lady Tiger named to the first team earning the honors in 2000 after posting a program-record 18 goals.

Konno put together one of the best offensive seasons in the history of the program finishing with 12 goals, three assists and 27 points. A first-year player for Memphis, Konno's 12 goals led the conference and her 27 points tied her with C-USA Offensive Player of the Year Julianne Stitch (De Paul) for the league lead. The Japan native, scored the game-winning goal in three of the Lady Tigers' five wins this season.

McLeod, who was a member of the 2002 All-Conference USA Freshman Team, picked up the other two game-winning goals for the squad that finished with a 5-9-3 record. She finished in a tie for the team-lead with four assists and was the only Lady Tiger to start all 18 matches this season.

"It is a great honor to have a pair of kids on the all-conference first team," Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan said. "Our record does not reflect the type of season I felt like we had and these two honors go to show that we have a lot to look forward to in the future here."

Memphis was the only school not in the upcoming league tournament to have two representatives on the first team. UAB, the regular season league champion, USF and East Carolina also had a pair of players named to the first team.

UAB head coach Paul Harbin was named the league's Coach of the Year while East Carolina defender Penny Perrott and USF goalkeeper Breck Bankester shared Defensive Player of the Year honors. Louisville's Jamie Craft was named the Freshman of the Year.

For a complete listing of all the Conference USA women's soccer postseason awards visit www.conferenceusa.org.