Tampa Places Six on All-Region Women’s Soccer Team
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced its women's soccer all-region teams, honoring a total of six University of Tampa student athletes.
"These are nice individual awards and recognition for our team," says head coach Gerry Lucey. "It's satisfying to see these six getting deserved praise for the work this year. Without a strong supporting cast, these awards are never possible."
Shannon Walisch, Lauren Moore and Cici Gonzalez were each first-team selections as Kori Butterfield, Gabby Russo and Courtney Peffley earned a spot on the second team.
"We look forward to a bright future with this young team and hopefully a productive spring which will help dictate the fall season," comments Lucey.
Walisch, a junior defender, led a Spartan defensive unit that allowed just 13 goals in 23 matches. Starting all 23 contests, she also recorded one goal and led the squad with 2,027 minutes.
Moore, the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year, was among national leaders with 18 goals. She also tallied five assists for a total of 41 points. Among her goals were four game-winners.
Gonzalez, the Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year, provided an immediate impact as she notched 12 goals to go with nine assists. Here five game-winning goals were also a team high.
Butterfield, a junior goalkeeper, was stellar in goal with nine shutouts on the season. She registered a 0.53 GAA and finished the year with 46 saves. She also notched a pair of shutouts in 1-0 victories in the SSC semifinal and championship game as she went on to earn SSC Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.
Russo, a sophomore midfielder, was credited with five goals and nine assists, including one game-winning score.
Peffley, a senior captain, set the program's all-time record for games played and started. She finished with a team-leading 12 assists. Peffley also added nine goals, including three game-winners.