Martinsen selected to All-SAC Second Team

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Lenoir-Rhyne University forward Aqsa Mushtaq was voted as the 2019 South Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Year, while Catawba College defender Katie Beck was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Year. Queens University of Charlotte forward Nia Gaither was selected as the conference Freshman of the Year, and Lenoir-Rhyne head coach Garry Higgins was voted as the Coach of the Year, the conference announced today.

Mushtaq, a senior from Bradford, England, led the No. 8 Bears to the 2019 SAC Regular Season Title. She led her team in goals with 13 and was second on the team in assists with four. She was second in the league in points with 30 and was second in game-winning goals with five. Mushtaq was also named SAC AstroTurf Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts during the year.

Beck, a sophomore from Clermont, Fla., anchored a Catawba Indian defense that surrendered just 15 goals during the season and had a goals against average of 0.85. In addition to her defensive prowess, Beck netted four goals, including three in conference play with one game-winning goal. Beck was also named SAC AstroTurf Defensive Player of the Week during the season.

Higgins led the Bears to their seventh SAC Regular Season Championship, finishing the regular season with a record of 14-2 overall and 8-2 in SAC play. The Bears are ranked No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches National poll and are currently No. 2 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Ranking. Under Higgins leadership, the 2019 Bears lead the league in goals scored with 54, were second in points with 141 and had a conference-leading 0.59 goals against average.

Joining Mushtaq, Beck and Gaither on the All-SAC First Team were forwards Jessica Cravero of Lincoln Memorial and Hannah Van Eerden of Lenoir-Rhyne.

The first team midfielders were Jovana Sanchez of Catawba, McKenna DeLong of Wingate, Maria Hernandez of Lincoln Memorial and Neve Duston of Lenoir-Rhyne.

On defense, Christina Shimshock of Lenoir-Rhyne, Ermelinda Pantaleao of Lincoln Memorial and Kristen DeBiase of Wingate were named to the first team, while Wingate's Abbey Frail was named the first team goalkeeper.

2019 South Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer All-Conference

First Team
F – Aqsa Mushtaq, Lenoir-Rhyne
F – Jessica Cravero, Lincoln Memorial
F – Nia Gaither, Queens
F – Hannah Van Eerden, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Jovana Sanchez, Catawba
MF – McKenna DeLong, Wingate
MF – Maria Hernandez, Lincoln Memorial
MF – Neve Duston, Lenoir-Rhyne
D – Christina Shimshock, Lenoir-Rhyne
D – Katie Beck, Catawba
D – Ermelinda Pantaleao, Lincoln Memorial
D – Kristen DeBiase, Wingate
GK – Abbey Frail, Wingate

Second Team
F – Daphne Heyaime, Newberry
F – Emilee Futrell, Carson-Newman
F – Shelby Vasich, Catawba
F – Sanne Martinsen, Mars Hill
MF – Abigael McGarel, Lenoir-Rhyne
MF – Lulu Phan, Queens
MF – Kristina Markfort, Carson-Newman
MF – Jess Lafrancis, Wingate
D – Aleisha Cruwys, Lenoir-Rhyne
D – Chandler Hendrix, Wingate
D – Beatrice Gards, Carson-Newman
D – Jente Kuper, Carson-Newman
GK – Shelby Thompson, Catawba

Honorable Mention
F – Erin Cepeda, Anderson
MF – Karen Juarez, Queens
MF – Jacqueline Aldrete, Newberry
MF – Addie Henry, Carson-Newman
MF – Emma Rose Stockton, Queens
D – Kenzie Ellenburg, Tusculum
D – Thenia Zervas, Lincoln Memorial
D – Emma Harms, Newberry
GK – Charlotte Warner, Lenoir-Rhyne

Offensive Player of the Year
Aqsa Mushtaq, Lenoir-Rhyne

Defensive Player of the Year
Katie Beck, Catawba

Freshman of the Year
Nia Gaither, Queens

Coach of the Year
Gary Higgins, Lenoir-Rhyne

Fair Play Award
Lincoln Memorial

Stat Champions
Goals per Match: Jessica Cravero, Lincoln Memorial | 0.89

Points per Match: Jessica Cravero, Lincoln Memorial | 1.94

Assists per Match: Thenia Zervas, Lincoln Memorial | 0.94

Goals Against Average: Charlotte Warner, Lenoir-Rhyne | .590

Save Percentage: Jayleen Grant, Newberry | .865

Shutouts: Charlotte Warner, Lenoir-Rhyne | 10

Team Points per Match: Lincoln Memorial | 8.11

Team Goals per Match: Lenoir-Rhyne | 3.18

Team Assists per Match: Lincoln Memorial | 2.33

Team Shutouts: Lenoir-Rhyne | 10

Team Goals Against Average: Lenoir-Rhyne | .590

Team Winning Percentage: Lenoir-Rhyne | .882