Spartan Trio Earns Daktronics All-Region Accolades
MEMPHIS, Fla. - A total of three University of Tampa student-athletes were named to the 2013 Daktronics All-South Region Women's Soccer Team on Monday.
Cici Gonzalez and Shannon Walisch were both named to the first team, as Gabby Russo earned mention on the second team.
Gonzalez, a sophomore forward from Lutz, Fla., led all Spartans in scoring as she also started all 21 games. She finished with 15 goals and four assists, including four multi-goal efforts. Among her goals were three game winners and a hat trick in a Sunshine State Conference win over Saint Leo.
Walisch, a senior defender from Palm Harbor, Fla., led a unit that helped UT to a 15-4-2 record and outscored its opponents 57-17. While starting all 21 matches, she also logged a team-high 1,899 minutes and led the way in 12 UT shutouts. She also netted five goals and three assists from her defensive position.
Russo, a junior midfielder from Middleton, Mass., was an offensive playmaker who scored seven goals with 11 assists. In 21 matches, she had a game-winning goal in each of the first two victories for Tampa. She also tallied a goal and three assists against SSC opponent Saint Leo.
All first-team selections will be also be considered for All-American honors. Voting for Daktronics is conducted by Sports Information Directors.
2013 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-South Region Women's Soccer Team
FIRST TEAM
GK - Sarah Story, West Florida
D - Kelly Andres, West Florida
D - Daniela Cruz, West Florida
D - Taylor Thigpen, Rollins
D - Shannon Walisch, Tampa
M - Shelby Bush, West Florida
M - Sara Helgadottir, West Florida
M - Lavinia Nkomo, Barry
M - Paxton Sickler, Rollins
F - Nicki Gears, West Alabama
F - Cici Gonzalez, Tampa
F - Arielle Kabangu, Saint Leo
F - Chelsea Palmer, West Florida
SECOND TEAM
GK - Becca Rogers, Barry
D - Alyssa Abrahamsen, Florida Southern
D - Marie Blunt, Alabama-Huntsville
D - Azure Dorsey, Rollins
D - Ashley Harlan, Barry
D - Ellis Hillman, North Alabama
D - Gabrielle Pilgrim, Christian Brothers
M - Emma Jones, Rollins
M - Camilla Rodriguez, Christian Brothers
M - Gabby Russo, Tampa
M - Lydia Sutcliffe, West Alabama
F - Sashana Campbell, West Florida
F - Sydnie Fiocca, Alabama-Huntsville
F - Brenna McKee, Rollins
F - Aubri Williamson, Florida Tech
South Region Player of the Year: Chelsea Palmer, West Florida