Ladyjacks Sweep SLC Individual Honors
11/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Southland Conference Release
FRISCO, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin women's soccer team became the first program in Southland Conference history to sweep all four individual honors, claiming Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, the league office announced on Tuesday afternoon in conjunction with the release of the all-conference teams.
Ladyjacks Zuri Prince, Hanna Barker and Christa Robinson took home the league's player, freshman and newcomer of the year awards, respectfully, while head coach Wally Crittenden picked up coach of the year honors for a second consecutive season.
"What a special day it is for our program," head coach Wally Crittenden said. "I said at the beginning of the season that one of the most significant compliments you can get is from your professional and competitive, peer group. We have some good soccer being played in this conference by some great players and some great coaches. The level of soccer in the Southland is always improving and for us to have several of our players recognized for their contributions to that standard is fantastic.
"It is a testament to their character and preparation all year round as well as to the great coaches working with them on a daily basis. I am fortunate to have a very experienced, motivated and detail oriented staff, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't appreciate their efforts."
Crittenden and the Ladyjacks finished with a perfect 11-0 record in SLC play while tying their regular-season record of 15 wins for the third-straight season. SFA finished undefeated at home for the third time in the last four years (2011, 2012, 2014) and ended its regular season with its 13th consecutive win to tie the 2011 Ladyjack squad for the longest winning streak in program history. SFA currently leads the country with its 13-match win streak, while being just one of five schools to go undefeated in conference place and at home this season.
Prince, who picked up the second first team all-conference nod of her career, is the second player in school history to earn player of the year after former Ladyjack Kylie Louw claimed the honor three consecutive seasons (2011-13). The native of Beaumont, Texas, finished the regular season leading the league with six game-winning goals and five in conference play. In conference play, Prince finished the season tied for first in the SLC in goals (7), also ranking third in points (16) and shots (34). Prince was honorable mention All-SLC as a junior.
"Zuri has been a dominant force on the field this season and has been very consistent since August," Crittenden said. "She has grown as a leader this year and has worked very hard to improve and play her position as well as she can. She is surrounded by great teammates and a scheme that allows for great opportunities from various locations and I am really excited to see where she goes from here into the postseason. Zuri's execution in big moments this season was great to watch. She will be the first to give credit to her teammates though, as without that quality surrounding her, she would not have been in the positions she was in as often as she was."
Raymond picks up her fourth consecutive first team all-conference honor. In conference play, the native of Irving, Texas, led the SLC in assists (5), tied for first in points (17), second in shots (37), tied for second in game-winning goals (3) and tied for third in goals (6). The program's all-time record holder for points (115), goals (49) and shots (303), Raymond has totaled nine goals and five assists for 23 total points on the season.
Megan Dunnigan picks up her third first-team all-conference selection, as sister Brooke Dunnigan garners her first. The Dunnigan sisters have been a tandem force on the back line, as SFA's defense ranked atop the conference in goals against average (0.27), goals allowed (3) and shutouts (8) in league play. This season Megan Dunnigan has scored two goals and recorded one assist for five total points, while Brooke Dunnigan has recorded three assists for three points.
Glick picks up the first all-conference honor of her career, rounding out the first team for the Ladyjacks. In conference play, Glick lead the SLC in goals against average (0.28) and save percentage (.929), tying for first in shutouts (5) and ranking eighth in saves (3.55). The three-time goalkeeper of the week posted a 13-2-1 record in goal, combining for 11 shutouts, posting a .889 save percentage and 0.51 goals against average in the regular season.
"Morgan has been an extremely consistent keeper this year and has always been there when her team needed her to make a play," Crittenden said. "She has been very prepared for each match and that is a tribute to her competitive character and to the training environment she and Lillie Ehlert continue to create alongside our coaching staff. It is very special when you have two great keepers who train and compete at such a high level and there is no doubt that Morgan has enjoyed competing, as well as mentoring, Lillie this season. I am very excited to see what our goalkeepers will do in the postseason and beyond."
Sophomore Amanda Doyle garnered the first all-conference honor of her career, representing SFA on the second team. Juniors Rachel Owens and Chantal Curry joined Barker and Robinson on the league's list of honorable mention.
Barker becomes the first freshman since Louw to win the league's freshman of the year. The native of Farmers Branch, Texas, finished tied for sixth for assists (3) and eighth in shots (31) across league play. In the regular season, Barker has appeared in all 18 games, making 17 starts, while accumulating six goals and three assists for 15 total points.
"Hanna has come in and has played very well this season in really big games," Crittenden said. "You have to remember that in June she was still recovering from an injury and to be out as long as she was, some players would just accept that there would be a transition season. Not Hanna. She worked extremely hard with her physical conditioning and came into camp looking great. I limited her by design early on to make sure we were all comfortable with her competing in a very demanding non-conference schedule, and she was up for it for sure. Hanna is also surrounded by great leaders on this team and it is our upperclassman that have helped instill and support the habits that will help make her the best player she can be moving through her next three years. The best is yet to come from Hanna and I am very excited she was recognized in her first year, especially with the challenges she had in the prior six months before she arrived."
Robinson becomes the fourth Ladyjack all-time to be named newcomer of the year. A senior transfer, Robinson has appeared in 15 matches, making seven starts and attempting three shots on goal.
"Christa is absolutely deserving of this award," Crittenden said. "It is hard to come into a program and to assert yourself competitively while at the same time building trust amongst your new teammates. You add on there that she is doing it as a senior, and that is one more distraction that can prevent her from making the kind of impact your potential might suggest. Christa managed all of that very well and quickly became a utility option playing several positions in the back half of the field. I am very proud of how she managed that transition and am looking forward to watching her compete in the postseason."
SFA will enjoy a first round bye in the SLC Tournament this weekend on the campus of Lamar University. The Ladyjacks will play the winner of the fourth-seeded McNeese State and fifth-seeded Nicholls in a 7 p.m. match on Friday, Nov. 7. 
-SFA-
