Hilltoppers named to All-Heartland Conference teams
AUSTIN, Texas - This Thursday, seven St. Edward's women's soccer players made the All-Heartland Conference teams, including five Hilltoppers on the first team. Senior defender Kelsey Yeatts finished her career on the hilltop with her third time being named to the first-team all-conference team. Juniors Stacey Copeland, Korre Fairman, Alex Podowski and freshman Bethany Bennett were also named with Yeatts to the first-team all-conference. Also, sophomores Janae Averett and Kelly Boyd made the second-team all-conference.
For Yeatts, this marks her third straight year making the first-team all-conference as she contributed five assists to the Hilltopper attack. She led a tough defense that compiled ten shutouts and only allowed 0.65 goals against average in the 2008 season. The Hilltopper defense was honored for its remarkable play as two more members of the back line, Podowski and Boyd, joined Yeatts. This is Podowski's second time on the first-team and Boyd's first time making the all-conference squad.
Forward Copeland earned her spot as she led the team with 11 goals and 25 points in her first season at St. Edward's. Averett joined her in representing the Hilltopper attack as she was second to Copeland on the team with 13 points and 35 shots. Both players earned Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors this season.
Fairman and Bennett round out the Hilltoppers on the all-conference as they play the midfield in both their first time being named to the first-team all-conference. Fairman exhibited her skills this season as she is second on the team in game-winning goals with two and also contributed four assists. In her first year competing at the college level, Bennett showed no fear as she played in 16 of the 17 games this season, dishing out six assists and one goal.
The seven Hilltoppers named to the all-conference team gave St. Edward's the second highest representation, only behind Incarnate Word. The women finished the year with a 13-3-1 record and a 10-1-1 record in the Heartland Conference. They finished second in the conference with an undefeated record in conference home games.