University of Tennessee Athletics
Seven Vols Land On SEC Soccer Preseason Watch List
August 15, 2018 | Soccer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Seven Tennessee soccer players have been named to the Southeastern Conference Preseason Watch List, the conference office announced Wednesday morning. Anna Bialczak, Katie Cousins, Erin Gilroy, Maya Neal, Rylie O'Keefe, Khadija Shaw and Shae Yanez represented the Vols on the list, which recognizes the SEC's top talent heading into the 2018 campaign.
- Bialczak, a redshirt senior from Lutherville, Md., collected Second Team All-SEC accolades in 2017. The midfielder played in all 21 games for the Vols, finishing second on the team with six goals including two game winners. She also tallied four assists for a total of 16 points, ranking third on the team.
- Cousins became the sixth All-American in program history last fall, earning a Third Team selection from the United Soccer Coaches. The midfielder from Forest, Va. also garnered First Team All-SEC and First Team All-Southeast Region honors during her redshirt-sophomore campaign. She played and started all 21 games for the Vols in 2017, totaling two goals and four assists across 1,663 minutes.
- Gilroy is the SEC's leading returner in assists (9) and assists per game (0.50) from last season. The Bellmore, N.Y. native spent the summer with the U-20 U.S. Women's National Team after being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2017. As a rookie, Gilroy connected on four goals and nine assists to total 17 points for the Vols.
- Neal took home First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-Southeast Region awards during her redshirt-sophomore campaign. A dual-sport athlete, she recently claimed Second Team All-America status in the heptathlon for Tennessee track & field. On the soccer field, the Naperville, Ill. native transitioned to defender for the Vols and helped UT post 10 shutouts in 2017.
- O'Keefe picked up her second-straight All-Southeast Region honor from the United Soccer Coaches last season. The midfielder from Littleton, Colo. started in all 21 games last fall, scoring five goals and adding three assists for a total of 13 points. O'Keefe has played in 59 games over her collegiate career, including 56 starts for the Vols across three seasons.
- Shaw netted 14 goals in her debut season on Rocky Top, including seven game winners that set a new program record and ranked third across all of NCAA Division I. The Spanish Town, Jamaica native tallied 33 points (14G, 5A) last season, which tied for the third-most in Tennessee history. Shaw was selected First Team All-SEC and First Team All-Southeast Region as a junior and was recently named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Preseason Watch List.
- Yanez returns in goal after starting all 21 games for the Vols in 2017. The senior keeper from Downingtown, Pa. recorded eight solo shutouts, posting a 0.91 goals against average and 69 saves. Her 0.96 career GAA ranks third in Lady Vol history.
No. 25 Tennessee opens the 2018 season Thursday, Aug. 16 as the St. John's Red Storm comes to town. 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.
- Bialczak, a redshirt senior from Lutherville, Md., collected Second Team All-SEC accolades in 2017. The midfielder played in all 21 games for the Vols, finishing second on the team with six goals including two game winners. She also tallied four assists for a total of 16 points, ranking third on the team.
- Cousins became the sixth All-American in program history last fall, earning a Third Team selection from the United Soccer Coaches. The midfielder from Forest, Va. also garnered First Team All-SEC and First Team All-Southeast Region honors during her redshirt-sophomore campaign. She played and started all 21 games for the Vols in 2017, totaling two goals and four assists across 1,663 minutes.
- Gilroy is the SEC's leading returner in assists (9) and assists per game (0.50) from last season. The Bellmore, N.Y. native spent the summer with the U-20 U.S. Women's National Team after being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2017. As a rookie, Gilroy connected on four goals and nine assists to total 17 points for the Vols.
- Neal took home First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-Southeast Region awards during her redshirt-sophomore campaign. A dual-sport athlete, she recently claimed Second Team All-America status in the heptathlon for Tennessee track & field. On the soccer field, the Naperville, Ill. native transitioned to defender for the Vols and helped UT post 10 shutouts in 2017.
- O'Keefe picked up her second-straight All-Southeast Region honor from the United Soccer Coaches last season. The midfielder from Littleton, Colo. started in all 21 games last fall, scoring five goals and adding three assists for a total of 13 points. O'Keefe has played in 59 games over her collegiate career, including 56 starts for the Vols across three seasons.
- Shaw netted 14 goals in her debut season on Rocky Top, including seven game winners that set a new program record and ranked third across all of NCAA Division I. The Spanish Town, Jamaica native tallied 33 points (14G, 5A) last season, which tied for the third-most in Tennessee history. Shaw was selected First Team All-SEC and First Team All-Southeast Region as a junior and was recently named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Preseason Watch List.
- Yanez returns in goal after starting all 21 games for the Vols in 2017. The senior keeper from Downingtown, Pa. recorded eight solo shutouts, posting a 0.91 goals against average and 69 saves. Her 0.96 career GAA ranks third in Lady Vol history.
No. 25 Tennessee opens the 2018 season Thursday, Aug. 16 as the St. John's Red Storm comes to town. 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.
Players Mentioned
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