University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol duo named to TopDrawerSoccer Preseason Best XI
August 13, 2018 | Soccer
CULVER CITY, Calif. – Tennessee's Katie Cousins and Khadija Shaw have each been named to TopDrawerSoccer's Preseason Best XI teams, as released by the publication Monday morning. Cousins was selected First Team Best XI as a midfielder, while Shaw was placed on the Second Team as a forward.
TopDrawerSoccer's Preseason Best XI shapes out what is projected to be the best talent in the upcoming NCAA Division I women's soccer campaign. Three upperclassmen sides and a freshman team were featured on the listing, which can be found at this link.
Cousins became the sixth All-American in Tennessee soccer history last season, earning a Third Team nod from the United Soccer Coaches. The midfielder was also named to the TDS Postseason Best XI Second Team following her redshirt-sophomore campaign.
A native of Forest, Va., Cousins played and started in all 21 games for the Vols in 2017. She tallied two goals and four assists, helping lead UT to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 and a 15-4-2 record overall.
Shaw led the Vols with 14 goals and 33 points last season. The forward from Spanish Town, Jamaica claimed First Team All-SEC and First Team All-Region honors following her debut season on Rocky Top.
Also known as 'Bunny,' Shaw's 14 goals were the second-most in a single season in Tennessee history. Seven of those were game-winning goals, setting a new program record and ranking third across all of NCAA Division I last year.
This marks Shaw's first appearance on TopDrawerSoccer's preseason Best XI, while Cousins has been named to the list three times (2015 Freshman Team, 2017 Third Team, 2018 First Team).
Cousins and Shaw were two of five SEC players to receive this distinction. South Carolina defender Grace Fisk and Ole Miss forward CeCe Kizer garnered First Team honors, while USC goalkeeper Mikayla Krzeczowski was slated to the Third Team.
No. 25 Tennessee opens the 2018 regular season Thursday, Aug. 16 with a home match against the St. John's Red Storm. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee soccer, follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter.
TopDrawerSoccer's Preseason Best XI shapes out what is projected to be the best talent in the upcoming NCAA Division I women's soccer campaign. Three upperclassmen sides and a freshman team were featured on the listing, which can be found at this link.
Cousins became the sixth All-American in Tennessee soccer history last season, earning a Third Team nod from the United Soccer Coaches. The midfielder was also named to the TDS Postseason Best XI Second Team following her redshirt-sophomore campaign.
A native of Forest, Va., Cousins played and started in all 21 games for the Vols in 2017. She tallied two goals and four assists, helping lead UT to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 and a 15-4-2 record overall.
Shaw led the Vols with 14 goals and 33 points last season. The forward from Spanish Town, Jamaica claimed First Team All-SEC and First Team All-Region honors following her debut season on Rocky Top.
Also known as 'Bunny,' Shaw's 14 goals were the second-most in a single season in Tennessee history. Seven of those were game-winning goals, setting a new program record and ranking third across all of NCAA Division I last year.
This marks Shaw's first appearance on TopDrawerSoccer's preseason Best XI, while Cousins has been named to the list three times (2015 Freshman Team, 2017 Third Team, 2018 First Team).
Cousins and Shaw were two of five SEC players to receive this distinction. South Carolina defender Grace Fisk and Ole Miss forward CeCe Kizer garnered First Team honors, while USC goalkeeper Mikayla Krzeczowski was slated to the Third Team.
No. 25 Tennessee opens the 2018 regular season Thursday, Aug. 16 with a home match against the St. John's Red Storm. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Regal Soccer Stadium.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee soccer, follow @Vol_Soccer on Twitter.
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