Nov. 4, 2009

Complete All-SWAC team

The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2009 Women's Soccer All-Conference honors Wednesday with Univ. of Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Jade West, Grambling State's Cherie Silas, and Prairie View A&M's Yosselyn Aguilar garnering top honors. The all conference teams were voted on by the schools' coaches and sports information departments.

West - a 5-foot-5 sophomore forward - was named the SWAC's 2009 Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. The Ajax, Ontario native led the SWAC in points (24) and goals (9) this year, while also posting six assists for the season (3rd in SWAC). She had a season-high eight points and three goals versus Alabama State and registered two game-winning goals for the season. West was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week twice in 2009.

Silas - a 5-foot-9 senior goalkeeper - was voted as the SWAC's 2009 Defensive Player of the Year. Playing in 17 games this season, Silas recorded 129 saves, six shutouts and a 1.22 goals against average. She pitched a key shutout over Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Sunday to help lift the Lady Tigers over UAPB and claim the #1 seed in the West heading into the tournament this week. A Rancho Cucamonga, CA native, Silas was named the SWAC Goalkeeper of the Week three times this season.

Aguilar - a 5-foot-7 freshman forward - has been named the SWAC's 2009 Freshman of the Year. Aguilar has made an immediate impact on her Lady Panthers' squad leading her team and the SWAC in shots per game (3.07), and was fourth in the conference in goals (6). Hailing from Houston, TX, Aguilar also posted a team best 14 points for the season.

Joining West, Silas, and Aguilar on the all-conference first team were D LeTisha Davis (AAMU), D Saycha Mitchell (TXSO), D Erika Forbes (UAPB), M Bupe Okeowo (JSU), M Abigal Escobar (PVAM), M Monica Diaz (PVAM), M Rachel Harker (GSU), and F Shadein Mars (JSU).

Named to the second team were D Dominique Denmark (GSU), D Joell Gibson (JSU), D Kendall Smith (SU), M Danielle Miller (ALST), M Angelica Singh (GSU), M Kayla Boyd (MVSU), M Noah Mithrush (UAPB), F Rachele Dobbins (GSU), F Ashley Baker (GSU), F Nicole Parks-Powell (UAPB), and GK Chelsea Klein (UAPB).

Arkansas-Pine Bluff led the way with six players chosen to the all conference team. Grambling State had five selections; Jackson State and Prairie View A&M each had three while Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Mississippi Valley State, Southern, and Texas Southern all had one player on the all conference list.