University of Tennessee Athletics
Wilkinson, O'Keefe & Neal Earn NSCAA All-Region Honors
December 01, 2016 | Soccer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Three Tennessee soccer players have earned NSCAA All-South Region honors for the 2016 season as announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America on Thursday. UT's three selections are its most since also have three players earn all-region honors in 2007.
NSCAA All-South Region First Team
- GK -- Mikayla Krzeczowski (South Carolina)
- D -- Gabby Seiler (Florida)
- D -- Jemma Purfield (South Alabama)
- D -- Kaleigh Kurtz (South Carolina)
- MF -- Chelsea Drennan (South Carolina)
- MF -- Meggie Dougherty Howard (Florida)
- MF -- Casie Ramsier (Auburn)
- MF -- Daniella Famili (Coastal Carolina)
- F -- Savannah Jordan (Florida)
- F -- Savannah McCaskill (South Carolina)
- F -- Hannah Wilkinson (Tennessee)
NSCAA All-South Region Second Team
- GK -- Danielle Rice (Texas A&M)
- D -- Jessi Hartzler (Arkansas)
- D -- Qyara Winston (Arkansas)
- D -- Kiana Clarke (Auburn)
- MF -- Melanie Donaldson (Missouri)
- MF -- Summer Clarke (LSU)
- MF -- Rylie O'Keefe (Tennessee)
- F -- Kristen Dodson (Auburn)
- F -- Amber Adams (Coastal Carolina)
- F -- Claire Kelley (Arkansas)
- F -- Natasha Minor (Southeast Missouri State)
NSCAA All-South Region Third Team
- GK -- Kat Stratton (Alabama)
- D -- Alexis Jordan (South Alabama)
- D -- Paige Bendell (South Carolina)
- D -- Maya Neal (Tennessee)
- D -- Kristen Cardano (Florida)
- MF -- Emily Grahl (SIU-Edwardsville)
- MF -- Sarah Luebbert (Missouri)
- MF -- Brooke Ramsier (Auburn)
- F -- Lacey Clarida (Alabama)
- F -- Stefani Doyle (Arkansas)
- F -- Marion Crowder (Georgia)
Star forward Hannah Wilkinson (first team), super sophomore midfielder Rylie O'Keefe (second team) and redshirt freshman defender Maya Neal (third team) were the three Volunteer players recognized.
Wilkinson had a career year in her final season on Rocky Top, leading the team while posting career highs in goals (11), assists (10) and points (32). Her 29 points in the regular season ranked third in the SEC and her 10 assists are tied for 18th nationally. The New Zealand native recorded at least one point in 15 of her final 17 games en route to earning first team All-SEC honors. Wilkinson's big season also helped her climb numerous record lists at Tennessee, as she moved up to second on UT's career goals chart with 33 and into third on the Vols' all-time points list with 85. This marks the third time that Wilkinson has earned NSCAA All-Region honors, the other two occasions coming in 2012 and 2014.
O'Keefe earned all-region accolades for the first time after a breakout sophomore season. She finished second on the team and set career highs with five goals, nine assists and 19 points while playing numerous positions throughout the season. O'Keefe finished tied for third in the SEC with nine assists and also posted four multi-point games. Three of the Colorado native's five goals were game winners.
After missing all of last season with an injury, Neal made an immediate impact during her first year of action with the Vols. The Naperville, Ill., native scored three goals early in the season before moving to the back four where she helped solidify Tennessee's defense. Neal helped the Big Orange post eight shutouts and was named to the SEC All-Freshmen Team for her efforts.
UT has now had at least one player earn NSCAA All-Region honors for eight consecutive seasons. The Vols have had 25 different players earn all-region recognition and have had 38 selections total in program history.
A complete list of all of the all-region teams can be found HERE.
