Women's Soccer 11/1/2022 4:00:00 PM

Five Highlanders Earn Big South Women’s Soccer Annual Awards

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference announced annual awards for women's soccer Tuesday afternoon and five Highlanders were recognized. Three Highlanders earned first-team all-conference honors, two were named to the second-team all-conference, one to the all-freshman team and one to the all-academic team.

Sophomore Kat Parris makes her second straight appearance on the conference's first-team award list after earning the mark in her debut season last year. Parris was the heart of the Highlanders' offense once again this season, starting in all 17 games and leading the team in goals (7) and points (18). Her assist total (4) also ranked tied for second on the team. In the Big South statistical leaderbords, Parris found herself within the top-ten for shots, shots on goal, goals, game-winning goals and points.

Alexeis Kirnos makes her first appearance on the Big South's first team list, and it was well earned by the senior leader who had a breakout season. When the team needed it most, Kirnos was there for the answer with six goals on the season. Three of those goals came from a perfect 3-for-3 shooting mark in penalty kicks. Kirnos added three assists to her offensive production to boost her season points to 15, a career-best total.

Rounding out Radford's first-team members was Helena Willson, who stepped up into a big role for the Highlanders this season. Willson started in all 17 games, leading a stout Radford defensive back line that posted six shutouts this season. Willson came up big for the Highlanders in a road match at UNC Asheville earlier this season where she netted two goals to lead the team to a 2-1 win. The 2022 marks the junior's first time appearing on a Big South annual award list.

Freshman Lilly Short had an excellent debut for Radford this season earning second-team and all-freshman awards. Short lead the team's freshman class with three goals and four assists for 10 total points. Short provided two clutch game-winning goals this season for Radford as well against Hampton and Presbyterian. Her goal at Appalachian State also proved crucial in drawing a 2-2 tie with the Sun Belt foe.

The final Highlander to earn annual awards this season from the Big South was another senior leader in Saleena Lynch. Lynch, a four-year starter that was a keystone in many elite Radford defenses over the years, started in 15 matches this season and played in 1,117 minutes to help the team post six shutouts on the season. Lynch was also the Highlanders all-academic representative after earning a 3.96 GPA as a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Radford is currently preparing for the semifinals of the Big South tournament. Radford and USC Upstate will face off in a rematch of an earlier meeting this season with a trip to the Big South Championship on the line. The game is currently set to kick off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

2022 Big South Conference Women's Soccer Award Winners

First-Team All-Conference
F: Jessica Donald, Sr., Campbell
F: Maddie Turlington, Sr., Gardner-Webb
F: Kat Parris, Soph., Radford
F: Jackie Richards, Sr., Campbell
MF: Alexeis Kirnos, Sr., Radford
MF: Reagan Baiotto, Soph., Campbell
MF: Elin Persson, Soph., Charleston Southern
MF: Klara Ovefelt, Soph., Gardner-Webb
D: Laney Peabody, Sr., Campbell
D: Helena Willson, Jr., Radford
D: Delaney Baumbick, Sr., Campbell
D: Alaina McKnight, Sr., USC Upstate
GK: Cora Brendle, Jr., USC Upstate

Second-Team All-Conference
F: Dara Russo, Fr., USC Upstate
F: Jenea Knight, Soph., Charleston Southern
F: Sam Gerhart, Sr., High Point
F: Elyssa Nowowieski, Sr., Campbell
MF: Catharine Forst, Sr., Longwood
MF: Lilly Short, Fr., Radford
MF: Azalea Mihailovich, Fr., UNC Asheville
MF: Erin Rush, Sr., Charleston Southern
D: Alex DePerno, Jr., High Point
D: Anna Doane, Soph., UNC Asheville
D: Olivia Neal, Jr., Campbell
D: Saleena Lynch, Sr., Radford
GK: Morgan Hairston, R-Sr., High Point

Honorable Mention All-Conference
Ashley Finn, F, Jr., USC Upstate
Annabel Thomas, F, Jr., Winthrop
Lindsey DeHaven, MF, Soph., High Point
Marina Bradic, D, Sr., Gardner-Webb
Alli Varga, D, Sr., Gardner-Webb

All-Freshman Team
Dara Russo, F, Fr., USC Upstate
Lilly Short, MF, Fr., Radford
Azalea Mihailovich, MF, Fr., UNC Asheville
Kiah Cirino, D, Fr., Charleston Southern
Sloan Spees, F, Fr., Presbyterian College
Camila Lezcano, D, Fr., Gardner-Webb
Savannah Noll, F, Fr., Longwood

All-Academic Team
Jessica Donald, F, Sr., Campbell
Dakota Feidler, MF, Gr., Charleston Southern
Marina Bradic, D, Sr., Gardner-Webb
Skyler Prillaman, F, R-Sr., High Point
Catharine Forst, MF, Sr., Longwood
Kelly Hall, GK, Soph., Presbyterian College
Saleena Lynch, D, Sr., Radford
Bronwyn Luitwieler, GK, Sr., UNC Asheville
Ashley Finn, F, Jr., USC Upstate
Lily Meisten, D, Soph., Winthrop

Offensive Player of the Year
Jessica Donald, F, Sr., Campbell

Goalkeeper of the Year
Cora Brendle, Jr., USC Upstate

Defensive Player of the Year
Laney Peabody, D, Sr., Campbell

Freshman of the Year
Dara Russo, F, Fr., USC Upstate

Coach of the Year
Sharif Saber, USC Upstate

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Jessica Donald, F, Sr., Campbell

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